Working with Indian stars has always excited me – Baz Luhrmann

Australian filmmaker Baz Luhrmann finds a reflection of Shakespeare’s plays in Bollywood films and was so impressed with Indian stars and Hindi movies that he used the song “Chamma, Chamma” in his musical “Moulin Rouge”. Now the Oscar-nominated director is keen to work on a film in India and collaborate with music maestro A.R. Rahman.

“There are a number of classic stars here and there are a few new Indian actors as well who are doing things differently. The idea of working with Indian actors has always excited me and if it works out I definitely will. I am keeping my fingers crossed,” Luhrmann told IANS in an interview.
This is Luhrmann’s fourth trip to India. So did he gather from the trip any fodder for his next project? “I wouldn’t say fodder, but every time I come here it has had a direct effect on my life and my work. There are many things I am working on. I have many pieces that could be played in India,” he said.
Luhrmann’s films “Strictly Ballroom”, “Romeo + Juliet”, “Moulin Rouge” and “Australia” had a profound presence of “love and spirit”. Not many know that the influence has an Indian connect.
“I can’t escape my spirit and love – the truth of relationships and the depth, meaning and power of them. Without that I can’t be creative. When I don’t have one of that, I am nothing.
“When I came here 15 years ago that changed me and every single time I come here, I’ve had the same experience. It’s always the same and very spiritual. At the same time all the other experience I have gathered here whether it is Satyajit Ray or anything, at the heart of it is love. The (Indian) connection is always with me. My relationship with India is continuing,” he added.