Baz Luhrmann, AR Rahman to work together?

Nevada: Oscar nominated Australian film director-actor-producer-writer Baz Luhrmann’s dream is to make a movie in India, according to reports.

During his recent India trip, he reportedly had lunch with Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan and his family and met Oscar winner musician AR Rahman (Slumdog Millionaire), whom he calls a “friend” and “maestro”. After meeting Rahman, Luhrmann reportedly expressed that they were thinking of jointly creating some work. Luhrmann apparently seemed to be impressed about how much Bollywood offered in a single movie. Oscar awardee Satyajit Ray (Pather Panchali) had reportedly left a great influence on Luhrmann, 47, who claims to have seen Oscar nominated Lagaan (Ashutosh Gowarikar). During this India visit, Luhrmann and Archibald Prize winner Australian portrait painter Vincent Fantauzzo reportedly painted a dance-themed mural on the wall of "le Sutra—the Indian art hotel” in Mumbai, claimed to be India’s first art hotel. Indo-American statesman Rajan Zed, welcoming Luhrmann for this art-exploration trip of India, urged other world filmmakers that instead of just focusing on poverty and crime, they should also explore many finer and deeper things India offered. Planet’s most multidimensional country, fast growing economy, emerging world power, largest democracy, etc. India had snowcapped mountains, palm-fringed and sun-washed beaches, glorious temples, colorful festivals, rich philosophy and spirituality, abundant historical sites, wildlife safaris, recharging treks, historic trade routes, cultural wealth, etc. Zed, who is chairperson of Indo-American Leadership Confederation, added. Presently Luhrmann is reportedly planning to film “The Great Gatsby” (1925 American novel by F Scott Fitzgerald) , which has already been filmed four times starting with Herbert Brenon’s 1926 production, which is expected to go to floor this year. ANI