No regrets about raunchy 'Buddha Mar Gaya': Rawail

Mumbai, Aug 19 (IANS) Director Rahul Rawail has no regrets about making the raunchy sex comedy 'Buddha Mar Gaya' despite discouraging verdicts, even as he prepares to base his next movie on the 2002 Gujarat riots.

'I'm not making any apologies about the raunchy mood of the film,' Rahul told IANS.

'It was meant to be a sex comedy, and it is exactly that. Why are we so squeamish about sexual innuendoes in our films when we have no objection to sex jokes in the 'American Pie' movies? I enjoyed watching 'American Pie' and wanted to do something similar in Hindi. And that's exactly what I've done.'

A lot of people are offended by the risque and ribald quality of the gags, including a bi-sexual godman, played by Om Puri.

'Let me tell you, every character in 'Buddha Mar Gaya' is based on real people. Don't let me open my mouth about who's who and what goes in these super-rich families. I wanted to do a savage satire on the hypocrisies of the affluent. And I think I've done that,' Rawail remarked.

'If people are offended by the blunt quality of the humour, let me remind them that this is an adult sex comedy passed by the censors with an 'A' certificate. I'm quite satisfied with what I set out to do, and with my cast.

'By all means critics are free to dislike the film. But when some reviewers have criticised my actors, I totally disagree with them. My actors have gone completely with the requirements of the script,' he added.

But 'Buddha Mar Gaya' is now behind Rawail, who is now planning two hard-hitting films, including on the communal riots in Gujarat in 2002.

'The first script will be an indigenous rendering of Sidnely Lumet's '12 Angry Men' about a jury trying five encounter cops. The second film will be set in the Gujarat riots. I want to show that communal riots are planned events, like any wedding or funeral. I'm in the process of scripting these two films.'

The director, however, maintains that his latest comedy was an equally creative film.

'Like I said 'Buddha Mar Gaya' is as much part of my creativity as the films of mine that you like,' he said.