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'No other country fascinates me more than India'
‘I am so proud to be born in this country. The emotions that run through the veins of the population keep me alive. I have been to so many countries but nowhere have I come across souls more passionate than Indians,' says Filmmaker Shoojit Sircar, in our special series where well-known Indians tell Rediff.com why they love India.
India’s unity in diversity just amazes me.
I have been to many parts of the world.
But none of the countries that I have visited could fascinate me more than India.
Once while shooting a pan India car commercial, a foreigner friend of mine accompanied me.
We visited Manali for the shoot and from there went to Kerala.
My friend was simply ‘shocked’ by the difference that he witnessed.
‘How can two different parts of the same country be so varied,’ he asked me.
And to add to his sense of wonder, I took him to Gangtok thereafter.
He was speechless!
‘How do you guys manage with so much variety,’ he asked me.
I smiled a wide grin in reply.
I am so proud to be born in this country.
The emotions that run through the veins of the population keep me alive.
I have been to so many countries but nowhere have I come across souls more passionate than Indians.
Here, even in this techno-crazy age, parents still care for their children and vice-versa.
Though the West has somewhat started casting its influence on the lives of the people, India as a country has been able to retain its humane nature.
While making films, I try to depict this fervent spirit of my country.
Though I am a Bengali, I have done films on Kashmiris, Punjabis, Bengalis and Tamils.
If you are in India, the canvas is vast.
I constantly draw inspiration from this charming country.
Shoojit Sircar is one of Hindi cinema's most interesting and engaging filmmakers. He is the director of Madras Café and Vicky Donor.
He spoke to Indrani Roy.