Tanuja Chandra and Mahima Chaudhry watch Hope and a Little Sugar with a few NGO kids

After her recently released Hope And a Little Sugar, Tanuja Chandra is all set to make a period love story written by her mother. In conversation with the fiesty film-maker

Hope and A Little Sugar has finally released after two years. What kept you going in the interim period?

Although a little frustrating, the interim period was also filled with activity. It took a long time to edit the film because we were editing across the oceans as my producers were American. Last year, we attended international festivals in New York, California, London, Milan, Karachi and Iraq. That was very satisfying because the movie was always intended for the global audience.

You said this is your most mature film till date...

It is certainly my most elegant and sophisticated work. My American producers didn’t push me to put in elements which are commercially viable. There was no desperation of trying to prove something.

Is it true that Mahima didn’t want to do this film initially because of the kissing scene?

The kissing scene is just a small one... you don’t even notice it. It’s there because throughout the film there is no proper romance, because this boy secretly loves the girl but she is married. Only at the end of the film is there an admission of love and there’s just the most tiny little kiss.

Mahima was a little shy and then sort of agreed. Mahima said that she was in a relationship and was uncomfortable kissing on-screen but when she was out of it, she had no qualms. Now when she sees it, she says she needn’t have made a big deal about it.

I would love to show proper kisses in my films because the whole world kisses each other when they fall in love. It’s so odd to show people going straight for the neck. It’s so unnatural (laughs). I don’t know why we are still so finicky. It’s just a kiss.

Your films have got critical acclaim but commercial success has always eluded you...

If I made huge budget movies then the losses would be huge as well. But films like Dushman and Sangharsh more than made back the money that was invested in them. Sur didn’t do well when it was released but over the years the DVDs have done very well.

If you are able to make a quality product within time and within budget then you will always have people who will be happy to work with you. It’s a matter of time... how long can success elude me?

All your films are very dark and dramatic. What attracts you to darkness?

I wouldn’t call it darkness but I would certainly call it drama. I have always loved drama. Although I love to watch lighter, sweeter and happier films but when making a film I get drawn to these dramatic stories with strong plot lines. I have enjoyed making thrillers and female-oriented films. Maybe some day when I feel I am good enough to handle a comedy or a sweet romantic film, I will make such a film.

You have mostly made films from a woman’s perspective. Would you make a film from a man’s point of view?

Sur was a man’s story. It was more Lucky Ali’s story than Gauri’s. Even Hope And A Little Sugar is more of a guy’s story than a girl. I can never make a story in which female characters are cosmetic. In my next film, which is written by my mother, the main character is the hero. I would never impose the female protagonist on a movie which was actually about the guy.

Who are your favourite woman directors?

I enjoy Farah Khan’s work very much. Her films are fun. I liked (Reema Kagti’s) Honeymoon Travels. I like Aparna Sen’s films. She has her own distinct style.

Finally, what is keeping you single?

You tell me! Honestly, I don’t seek to be single but at the same time I am not unhappy being single. I am not some lonely depressed woman but I would also be very happy to have a partner. I would be happy to get married because I love children. But it’s not happening now so what does one do? Arranged marriage is certainly out. Falling in love is something that you can’t force. So I am hoping.