PNC looks to Hollywood for Mystic Masseur

new delhi: pritish nandy communications (pnc) and merchant ivory productions have joined hands to produce a movie based on vs naipaul's first novel the mystic masseur. the film which is pnc's debut in hollywood is expected to be made at a budget of $3 million and is slated to be premiered by september 2001. the shooting is expected to begin next month and completed in eight weeks' time.``this is the first time naipaul has allowed one of his works to be filmed,'' pnc chairman and chief knowledge officer pritish nandy told the times of india. nandy said that his company has also forayed into producing a hindi movie slated for release in a months time. entertainment company pnc which got listed in the bombay stock exchange on monday closed at rs 167.90. ismail merchant who has directed award winning hits such as heat and dust, a room with a view, howard's end and golden bowl will be directing the mystic masseur. the film which is an adaptation of naipaul's first novel by the same name casts om puri who recently won acclaim for east is east and ayesha dharker who is currently shooting for star wars.