Reema Kagti

Guwahati, Feb. 16: Reema Kagti’s love affair with Bollywood has culminated in a honeymoon. And not just any sort of honeymoon: her maiden venture, Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd, will be released in cinemas on February 23.

The 33-year-old Assamese woman is all set for her directorial debut but even before the movie has been released, Reema has become the toast of the cinematic world for what has been described as a “delightfully delicious” first film.

A native of Uzanbazar in Guwahati, Reema had earlier worked with top directors like Ashutosh Gowarikar, Mira Nair and Farhan Akhtar, which gave her an insight into the minds of directors who are known for their class.

With a star cast which comprises Boman Irani, Shabana Azmi, Abhay Deol, Minissha Lamba, Amisha Patel, Karan Khanna, Sandhya Mridul, Vikram Chatwal, Kay Kay Menon and Raima Sen, Reema has virtually pulled off a casting coup in her very first movie.

Reema, who has also written the script for Honeymoon Travels, is being seen among the new breed of realistic filmmakers in Bollywood.

An excited Reema told The Telegraph over telephone from Mumbai: “Oh! I’m having goose pimples! I am excited and looking forward to the audience response.”

Born in Digboi to Deepa and Gitamrit, the 33-year old filmmaker is the second among three sisters. Her eldest sister Juli is a fashion designer based in Bangalore and the youngest one is a Mumbai-based scribe.

After completing her initial schooling from Carmel School, Digboi — her father was based in the oil town — Reema studied in Loreto School, Shillong. Thereafter, she did her graduation in mass communication from Sophia College, Mumbai.

Reema’s mother revealed that the young girl had made up her mind to be wedded to films from a young age. After college, Reema got her break with filmmaker Rajat Kapoor of Raghu Romeo fame. She then worked with Bombay Boys director Kaizad Gustad and assisted in the Aamir Khan starrer Lagaan, Farhaan Akhtar’s Dil Chahta Hai and Honey Irani’s Armaan.

She has also worked for Meera Nair’s Hollywood magnum opus Vanity Fair.

“I have learnt the ropes on the job. I have had no formal training in filmmaking. I consider myself lucky to get a chance to work with so many intelligent and technically superb filmmakers,” said Reema.