Anupam Kher keen to direct period drama set in Delhi

New Delhi: Award winning scriptwriter, Gajra Kottary`s debut novel `Broken Melodies`, about a dysfunctional household in 1980`s Delhi, has caught the attention of actor Anupam Kher. The 56-year-old actor, who has directed `Om, Jai, Jagdish` in the past, says he would like to work on the project as soon as he finds a producer. "I was struck by the cinematic quality of the novel so I decided to produce an audio-visual presentation of the story. Actors always clamber on board the bandwagon when a novel is successful and is made into a movie. In this instance, I thought, why not back a venture at the very beginning itself. "It touched my heart. It made me feel part of it. I think Gajra`s speciality lies in the fact that her characters are very relatable," added the actor. Kottary, the scriptwriter of successful shows like `Astitva` and `Balika Vadhu` has been writing for television for more than a decade now. With `Broken Melodies` she has now ventured into novel writing as well. "Writing for the television can be very tedious and I had a hard time completing the novel. My love for writing kept me going," Kottary told reporters. The novel is set in 1970s - 1980s Delhi, and is life seen through the eyes of its young protagonist, Niyati, a normal child growing up in an abnormal family. Her childhood is tainted by the aspirations of her father, a classical singer, and her mother`s struggle. "Broken Melodies is a tale that will find resonance in a nation where family dynamics are paramount and where warring parents and broken homes are becoming increasingly familiar," the author says. The novelist insists that the book is not an autobiography but says, "Yes, it is a world that I have seen very closely. But it is a work of fiction with a nice blend of fact and imagination. It is a little bit of me, little bit other people and empathy for mankind." The publishers Harper Collins, launched the book in Mumbai last month with Anupam Kher, Kunal Kapoor, Mahi Gill, Avika Gor, gracing the event. "I couldn`t help but launch the book in Delhi this is where I lived till I got married. I have nostalgia for the city even though I live in Mumbai now," said Kottary. The book has been released simultaneously in English and Hindi which is titled `Bikhre Sur`. PTI