I'd like to collaborate with Bengali filmmakers: Imtiaz Ali

Kolkata: Imtiaz Ali has expressed desire to team up with Bengali filmmakers to help them reach out to a wider audience.

Imtiaz said though he was not conversant with the 'sweet' Bengali language, which is endowed with "rich heritage", he would love to explore the regional cinema that is known for its creative excellence.

Hailing the creative aesthetic quality of Bengali cinema, the 44-year-old director referred to Satyajit Ray's "Pather Panchali", "Charulata", Ritwik Ghatak's "Ajantrik" and several Rituparna

Ghosh films as iconic works in the language.

"I think we can again work towards helping Bengali filmmakers aspiring to make that kind of cinema and reach out to a larger audience. I am ready to help in my way. I feel Bengali cinema is very important in the country's film scenario," Imtiaz told PTI.

"I don't know the Bengali language, which is a prerequisite for directing a film, but as the world knows Bengali cinema for its creative excellence I can collaborate in ways compatible with my sensibilities," he said.

The director, whose upcoming film "Tamasha" is set to relase on November 27, is in town for the special screening of the Bengali film "Teenkahon" (three obsessions).

Imtiaz, who helmed films like "Love Aaj Kal" and "Highway", is the presenter of "Teenkahon", which released today.

When asked if he has a script in mind for his next film, Imtiaz said, "I can't think about other future projects right now. I need some breathing space after every work of mine. And 'Tamasha' is no exception.

"Let the film (Tamasha) be released and I get a time for myself. Only then I can move on to the next project."