I’ll be back in Mumbai to make another film: Danny

I'll be back in Mumbai to make another film: Danny Boyle

Mumbai, British director Danny Boyle, who filmed his multiple Oscar-winning "Slumdog Millionaire" in Mumbai, says he misses the city when he is away and that he is coming here next year to shoot another movie.

"We've had a couple of meetings about another project in Mumbai. It won't happen this year. But it will certainly happen next year. I will certainly enjoy coming back to Mumbai to make another film," Boyle told IANS.

The director was here to ensure that "Slumdog Millionaire" kids Rubina Ali and Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail get the houses promised to them by the producers of the film.

"What we've come here for is to hand over… things… to the trust (Jai Ho Trust created for the 'Slumdog Millionaire' kids). I know the newspapers want to write stuff like 'Danny Rides To Their Rescue'. The truth about what we're doing is far less glamorous and far more professional," said Boyle.

Excerpts:

Q: How do you feel to be back in Mumbai?

A: I miss Mumbai when I'm away.

Q: Would you make another film in Mumbai?

A: Yes! In fact, that's another reason apart from the (Jai Ho) Trust why we're in Mumbai. We've had a couple of meetings about another project in Mumbai. It won't happen this year. But it will certainly happen next year. I will certainly enjoy coming back to Mumbai to make another film.

Q: Another film apart, what brings you to Mumbai?

A: What we've come here for is to hand over… things… to the trust. I know the newspapers want to write stuff like 'Danny Rides To Their Rescue'. The truth about what we're doing is far less glamorous and far more professional.

Q: What exactly do you hope to achieve?

A: To put the resources in the appropriate hands of trustees and a social worker who will make sure that all the right steps are taken to ensure long-term financial security for the kids. We really need to get out of this cycle of unsavoury allegations and reports (about how the funds are being used for the kids).

Q: You seem to be pulled back to Mumbai by forces that aren't exactly in your hands.

A: Not at all. It's always a pleasure to come to Mumbai. We came here for many reasons, one of them was to meet the trustees and take the matter of the kids forward, to press the families to accept the accommodation that has been offered to them many many times and try to reassure them. We don't know why they didn't want to accept the accommodation that was offered.

Q: And have you succeeded?

A: I'm glad to say we've slowly made our way forward. What matters is not what is written about the issue in the press but the long-term welfare of the kids. We want to make sure that the kids (from "Slumdog Millionaire") benefit from the success of the film and from their presence in the film. And I'm confident they will benefit.

Q: The growing expectations of a section of your film's cast seems hard to deal with. How are you coping?

A: We're trying our best. To be honest the most appropriate way we thought was to make a big donation. And we did. Now we're here to see the outline of the project that's being carried out in Bandra East. This project will help approximately 5,000 children and 2,000 families. Most of them have nothing to do with the film and they may never know about "Slumdog Millionaire". But the project will give back to the slum kids some of the benefit we got by working in it.

I'd love to give back to the people of Mumbai some of the joy they've given me. These are people I probably wouldn't see. But I feel their presence.

he is a sweet guy....

this guy has earned my respect.......he's doing so much for these slum kids. After making the film he could have very well gone away without bothering with what happened to them. He was not obligated to do anything else for them. Great going Mr Boyle....👏 👍🏼

What he has done for the children living in the slums which our own Govt. couldn't do any thing !! he is a nice and sweet guy !! You are most welcome again anytime Mr. Danny Boyle !!👏!!