Tanuja Chandra romance by her mother
Tanuja Chandra has always loved to write and direct issue-based films. However, for the first time, she will be directing a romantic film. “I will be directing my mother, Kaamna Chandra’s script. It is a complete romantic film — something I have never done before. I am yet to finalise the title for the film. Selecting a title is always a challenge for me because I am always looking for something unique,” says Tanuja.
Tanuja’s last release Hope And Little Sugar, starring Anupam Kher and Mahima Chaudhary, was not able to make waves at the box office. “The film was produced by two New York-based producers Glenn Russow and Scott Pardo. It was a cross-cultural collaboration. It was never meant for the larger masses. The film was screened at many film festivals and it was appreciated there. India was always a small territory for this film. This was an offbeat film and I consider it a very good experience for myself,” says the director.
How important is box office success for Tanuja? “I want my films to be well-received. And critics these days are too quick to pass judgment. They don’t even think what the director’s perspective may be,” she says.
Tanuja draws inspiration from what happens in real life for her movies. “What happens in real life is much more dramatic than something fictional. I draw a lot of inspiration from true-life incidents and women-related issues. I personally feel every film must have message at the end,” she explains.
Is she satisfied with the films she has been directing? “I believe that the day I am satisfied with what I do, will be time for me to retire. Till the time you are unsatisfied you will be striving for more. I want to achieve a lot more, so it’s going to take me a long time before I am satisfied,” she says.