Anupam all set for 'Happy & Gay'

Mumbai, Nov 6 (IANS) Versatile Anupam Kher is now on to his second directorial venture 'Happy & Gay' and says it will be an absolute departure from what he attempted in his first film 'Om Jai Jagdish'.

'The audience is going to have a ball watching this film, and I'm sure I'll have a great time directing it. It is written by Patrick Biswas and me. He also co-wrote my other film 'The Return' (in English), which I plan to direct for Yash Raj Films in New York. Patrick is very talented. But he needs to be motivated. And I think I provide him with the right incentive,' Anupam told IANS.

So will it be a film about the homosexual community, as the title suggests?

'Right now I'm not saying anything about the subject matter. 'Happy & Gay' will be a film about the relationship between two people. It's a fascinating hardcore commercial film.

'You know until the 'gayisms' began, ' happy and gay' was a state of mind rather than a statement on sexuality. Today if you wish someone a 'gay new year' he will probably feel you're implying something,' said Anupam, who might alter the title.

Anupam's directorial debut was a family drama. Despite the presence of heavy weights like Waheeda Rehman, Anil Kapoor, Fardeen Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Mahima Chaudhary, Urmila Matondkar and Tara Sharma, 'Om Jai Jagdish' failed to strike the right chord at the box office.

Before going on the floor with his second directorial venture, Anupam wants to complete his pending work.

'I will start the film once I complete some of my pending acting assignments which will take me right up to the end of this year.' Anupam will start casting as soon as he zeroes in on the right faces.

'All I can tell you is, 'Happy & Gay' will require a male and female lead. I won't be part of the cast, just direct it. There's no role for me in 'Happy & Gay', as there was no role for me in my first directorial film 'Om Jai Jagdish'. I find it very difficult to act and direct together. I know others can do it. I can't.'