At 65,Amol Palekar has finally found his peace. He is happy living amidst lush greenery and chirping birds at his Pune home. Its only work that draws him away,particularly the off-beat film projects that he is so passionate about. These days therefore,he is busy in Mumbai promoting his upcoming directorial venture And Once Again. Written by his wife Sandhya Gokhale,the film has Rajat Kapoor and Antra Mali in the lead and is slated for an August 13 release. To everyones surprise,Palekar has shot the film in English. Every subject chooses the language. The movie is about a high-profile architect and a civil servant. Their normal mode of communication is English, says Palekar,who shot the film in a single month-long schedule in Sikkim. The film on one level deals with a man-woman relationship. On the other hand,it talks about unnecessary violence. So we needed a peaceful place to shoot, says Palekar,who has directed nearly 15 films till date in Hindi and Marathi. Palekar is aware that And Once Again might bag an early morning slot at theatres,but this is a battle he is willing to fight. I dont have the kind of money that is required for film promotions these days. All I can tell people is that I have made a good film,that is worth watching, says Palekar,adding how small-budget films need a different marketing approach. There is a different kind of logic applied here unlike mainstream films which are made at a budget of not less than Rs 60 crores, he explains. Despite the odds,Palekar wants to go on making niche films. I was probably the one actor who refused nine films out of 10. I dont go by any pressures,commercial compulsions or market forces. I make films because I want to share a story that I have liked with as many like-minded people as possible, says the filmmaker. In fact,the actor-turned-director says that he still keeps getting film offers. I get at least three offers a month,mostly to play the heros father. Intrigued,I ask them what my character is going to be and they all seem confused. Until I dont get a role that challenges me,how am I going to sign any film? he questions.
