Comedy is the new buzz word for serious filmmakers

New Delhi: What`s common between Shyam Benegal, Madhur Bhadarkar, Ram Gopal Varma and Raj Kumar Santoshi? These are the filmmakers, who have found their niche in making realistic, hard-hitting cinema but have now taken a fancy to the genre of comedy in Bollywood.

Bhandarkar, known for films like `Chandni Bar`, `Page 3` and `Corporate` is all set to helm his first romantic comedy, `Dil to Bachcha Hai Ji` and has signed up an unusual star cast in Ajay Devgn, Emraan Hashmi and Omi Vaidya of `3 Idiots` fame. The filmmaker, who is inspired by film legend Hrishikesh Mukherjee, says, "I know I have been known for making hard hitting, real and controversial films. But I always wanted to make a light film like `Dil to Bachcha Hai Ji` as well." Another filmmaker who is taking up the genre, is Ram Gopal Varma. After finishing his ambitious project `Rakta Charitra`, a biopic on political leader Paritala Ravi starring Vivek Oberoi, the director is looking forward to make a situational comedy, his first. Varma, whose films range from underworld gang warfare, politician-criminal nexus, psychological thrillers and horror, promises the film will bring forth his funny side. The script is ready and he will start casting after finishing `Rakta Charitra`. Veteran moviemaker Shyam Benegal, one of the pioneers of New Wave Cinema in the 1970s and early 1980s, feels that comedy, especially satire, is what comes naturally to him now. "I think I have mellowed down with age. I now see the irony in serious issues which I have tried to portray in ‘Well Done Abba’ and ‘Welcome to Sajjanpur’ and audience have connected to them," Benegal said. PTI