Meet America's Indian origin porn czar

New Delhi, Aug 30 (IANS) Richard Menon, the 42-year-old founder and CEO of Ecstasyvision, one of the biggest porn film production houses in the US, has a reputation to keep.

New Jersey-based Menon is the first person of Indian origin to have shot porn movies in Los Angeles and also to have established an Indian-owned adult entertainment company in the US.

'It is kind of sexy. Wherever I go, fellow Indians look at me and smile. They might be wondering how this casual looking desi manages all those blond damsels?' Menon told IANS in an e-mail interview.

He is busy these days promoting his new film titled, 'The Indian Playboy', which will release in the US next month.

'The Indian Playboy', according to Menon, is a compendium of ideas on how to make a quality porn movie. And he didn't have to look far for the story idea. Menon used his own life as a backdrop.

'The film is my story as an immigrant, as an entrepreneur and as a player in the adult film market. It is the simple story of a conservative Indian who got fed up with the corporate world and decided to start his own porn business in the US.'

But it wasn't easy for this former finance expert who began his career with Penthouse magazine.

'There was a point of time when I had to live on my savings. My boss was shocked when I told him that I was quitting. But I had an idea and I wanted to try it out. My family, especially my wife, backed me up completely. I owe them a lot.'

Menon, whose film 'Miss 2' on model aviation has won rave reviews in New York in 2004 , wants to give an Indian touch to his next venture. But he is a little apprehensive.

'I am yet to see an Indian porn star. I think you need a lot of guts to get into this industry.

'To me sexiness is not about being beautiful or having a beautiful body. It could be anything. Her smile, the way she smells or the desire to excel in life. I have not seen many Indian women who have the complete package. However, I am sure that there are plenty of sexy Indian women around.'

Menon, however, finds Bollywood actress Bipasha Basu hot.

'Given a chance I would like to cast Basu in my film. She has everything - beauty, class, smartness and professionalism. For an Indian gal, I would like to do a soft core film showing her real beauty.'

The filmmaker believes India is slowly opening up to the porn industry, which is so far illegal in the country.

'Things are changing. Playboy is here. Debonair has been there for decades. Royal Magazine has just made its entry and there are dozens of Indian porn sites managed by Indians on the Internet. I guess a new genre of soft porn films may develop in Bollywood if someone takes the lead.'

So is this going to be another first for Menon?

'No! I do not plan to shoot any adult films in India. You can't handle the politicians and the women's rights groups there. However, I will do some of my conceptual and design work in India.'

(Arvin Vincent can be contacted at [email protected])