By Subhash K. Jha
Mumbai, May 16 (IANS): Rensil D'Silva, who himself directed the Indian version of internationally popular show "24", says makers of movies and TV shows must focus on bringing more indigenous content to viewers rather than adapting from foreign entertainers.
"I think we've some fine writing talent in our country. We should be developing indigenous stuff. I think people in the film and television industry like to follow a road map. They're happy if they know where exactly they're going with a project," said the "Kurbaan" director.
However, he believes "there is a lot of excitement on television".
"I think Ashutosh Gowariker is making a serial on the Everest," he added.
"24" has completely changed the way we look at Indian television. What do you think?
"Now its second season is on the way. Anil Kapoor has to first finish his film 'Welcome Back'. Before we started working on '24', a lot of marketing guys told us that it wouldn't work for Indian TV.
"But once we went on air, we realised those very people who enjoyed the 'saas-bahu' serials were enjoying '24'. That was quite heartening.
"I feel there's an audience for all kinds of tele-viewing experiences. A lot of people told us they had given up watching television until '24' came along," he said.
Are you getting offers to write more on television?
"As a matter of fact, I am. But I've just finished a film, and a novel and one season of '24'. I want to see how much time the second season of '24' would take before I commit myself to something else on television. '24' is something very close to my heart," he said.
His next big screen project is "Ungli".