Tollywood gradually opening up!

Tollywood is finally trying to move away from the tried-and-tested. Thankfully, the industry too is gradually opening up to new subjects and concepts. Topics like lesbianism, gigolo act or even the male strip dance, otherwise considered a taboo so far, are tumbling out of the closet.
Kris Alin, a new-age film-maker too tries to venture into this bold territory with his Antim Swash Sundor ��������� Last Breath Beautiful.The film takes a peek into the complex yet realistic issues that confront the masses today. The protagonist, Prem Sengupta, has a tough time dealing with his idealism on the one hand and aspirations of his wife on the other. All of a sudden, he comes to possess a pendant supposed to have magical powers, which, in turn, propels his career forward. Interestingly, Alin���������s film also deals with the harsh realities of gigolos and male strippers.
���������These elements were required for the story,��������� says Alin, adding, ���������The concept required a backdrop where we chose to show the different aspects of society. These, in turn, take the story forward.��������� The film-maker continues that he sought inspiration from The Bhagvad Gita, where one finds an unbiased approach to life. ���������It teaches you to keep accepting life as it comes,��������� he adds.
Ask him if experimenting with such a concept, more so, in Tollywood, didn���������t give him the jitters and Alin answers, ���������It isn���������t about Bollywood, Tollywood or Hollywood. It���������s about telling a story. After all, it���������s just a film and I wanted to tell a story. Language can never be a barrier in such cases. ASS isn���������t a cultural film.���������
Interestingly, Alin chose to produce his directorial debut. Is that because he feared being turned away if he knocked on other producers��������� doors? ���������In a way, yes. I wanted to take the risk, arrange for the money and go for it,��������� he clarifies.
Clearly then, he shouldn���������t have any apprehensions about getting a negative answer from the Censor Board? ���������CB won���������t have problems. It will realise that our attempts have not been to titillate, but the events follow a natural progression. This film is not for children and, hence, no question of a U-certificate. We will opt for a U/A,��������� Alin assures.
Afsar Ali, a model by profession, was roped in to play the gigolo. Talking about his role, Ali says, ���������I play a waiter, who is approached by Indrani Halder. I go to her place and give her a massage. At this point, she drops hints about her sexual interest. That is all I can reveal for now.���������
Ali has also done a strip act in the film. Ask him if he was in two minds about stripping, the model answers, ���������I was sceptical, initially. But thanks to my modelling background, I could shed my inhibitions. And Indrani Halder and Swagata Mukherjee helped me a lot with these scenes.���������
The model, however, is thanking his stars for such an ���������unusual debut���������. He feels that a ���������different launchpad like this will help grab more eyeballs.���������
Swagata Mukherjee, on the other hand, stresses that ASS is a story of relationships. ���������It���������s about how greed changes a person with time. Whatever is shown on-screen is reality, the darker side to life, to say the least. I play a minister���������s wife whose sole aim in life to play a mediator between two people. I introduce Ali to Indrani,��������� explains Mukherjee. Here���������s hoping Alin���������s bold act doesn���������t have T-town running for cover.