'I am ready to sell my stories'

Magsaysay Award winner Mahasweta Devi is set to have her stories adapted on film.

After earning accolades for the Bengali teleserial Proti Chuanno Minute (Every 54 Minutes), which she wrote, the Bengali writer says, "I am ready to sell my stories to [be made into] films. The only condition is the producer should stick to my original story without making any changes."

She admits not many female-oriented films are being made, saying, "I hope some producer approaches me knowing that I mostly write on women-related issues and topics that concern their upliftment."

Govind Nihalani made Hazar Chaurasi ka Ma, based on her story, five years ago, starring Jaya Bachchan.

Her teleserial, which is being telecast on DD1 and DD7, completed its 300th episode on Tuesday.

Asserting her fight is for the cause of a common man and 'crime against women and for their empowerment,' Mahasweta Devi said her serial is based on the National Crime Bureau report, which says one woman is 'violated every 54 minutes' in the country, she said, describing it is a 'national shame.'

PTI