'I want only Rani Mukherjee'

By Subhash K Jha

Move over, Ram Gopal Varma.

Nana Patekar is no longer directing a film for Ramu. During the making of Bhoot, the duo got so close they spent all their after-hours together and discussed many ideas for films that Nana could direct for Ramu's ever-functional Factory.

Such was their buddy-buddy baatein that Ramu even visited Nana in Pune.

But bhoot gayee baat gayee … The seeming inseparable twosome drifted apart….And that seemed to end Nana's plans to direct another film after the Madhuri- Nana starrer Prahaar in 1991.

Now Nana has found a new producer-friend who'll serve as his friendly producer. Prakash Jha will produce the volatile actor's second directorial venture.

Reveals Nana, "It's an out-and-out love story. No car chases, no murder sequences, no maara-mari. Just a simple love story. It's about a girl who encounters a loner. They meet for a while. …15-20 days. Then she goes away. They share a very special bonding—nothing physical. I'd say it's in the same genre as Roman Holiday and Brief Encounter."

Nana plays a retired 45-year old hero. "I play a guy who fears attachments. He thinks whoever he gets attached to, dies. So he shuns relationships."

Nana has firmed in on his leading lady. " I want only Rani Mukherjee for my lead. I'm sure the minute she hears the subject she'll agree. She can't say no. She won't ever get a role like this in her life."