'Happi' might be screened at Venice Film Festival: Bhavna Talwar

New Delhi, June 18 (IANS) Pankaj Kapoor-starrer 'Happi', a comedy-drama set in Mumbai, might be screened at the Venice Film Festival in September if officials give the final nod, says National award-winning director Bhavna Talwar.

'We are currently working on the post-production of 'Happi'. We have shown a few minutes of footage to officials of the Venice Film Festival and they have really liked it. It might be screened there before its official release, provided things work in our favour,' Talwar told IANS on phone from Mumbai.

'Happi', which also features Supriya Pathak and Hrishitaa Bhatt, was earlier scheduled for an April release, but now Talwar is waiting until the Venice Film Festival decides its release date.

'We are waiting for their final decision, so we have put its release on hold for now. But we are using this time creatively, we are getting more ideas and we are constantly thinking how else we can add to the project,' she added.

In 'Happi', Pankaj Kapoor plays the Charlie Chaplinesque role of a homeless tramp in Mumbai. The script has been written by the veteran actor himself and this is his second movie with Talwar after 'Dharm'. She says he gets better with every film.

'Working with Pankaj-ji is a delight. He doesn't fail to surprise me everytime he acts and always goes beyond expectations. His performance in 'Happi' should be seen to be experienced,' said Talwar.

While her first film 'Dharm' was a touching tale of religious harmony, 'Happi' explores the life of a simple man who doesn't have much expectations from life. Talwar says she likes to keep her films varied.

'I try to keep the perspective, colour, tone and feel of each of my film different from one another. I treat each work as my first piece of work and put my heart and soul into it. 'Happi' is more like a satire on everyday living, but it isn't really a dark comedy,' she said.

After 'Happi', Talwar is planning to work on the Hindi version of Demi Moore-starrer comedy 'The Joneses', in which certain financial stakes were owned by her husband, producer Sheetal Talwar and Madhu Mantena's company Vistaar-Religare.

'Since my husband had co-produced it, we have the rights to the film. I have read its script, but I haven't seen it yet. I really like the concept, but the screenplay would have to be twisted to suit the Indian audience,' she said.

She is also planning to work on a commercial Hindi film about a heroic man, but says she will divulge details only at the appropriate time.