Shyam Benegal told me 'Tingya' is like a poem: Director

Marathi film 'Tingya' might have lost out to Aamir Khan's 'Taare Zameen Par' as the official entry to the Oscars, but the film has no dearth of critical acclaim with ace filmmaker Shyam Benegal appreciating it and comparing it to a poem.

'I felt so nice that a veteran like Shyam Benegal told me that my film 'Tingya' is like a poem,' Mangesh Hadawale, the 26-year-old director, told IANS over phone from Mumbai.

'Tingya' made its debut at the 38th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) is a sensitive tale about a boy and his love for his bull, set against the politically charged background of farmers' suicides and life in rural Maharasthra.

' 'Tingya' has done better than my expectations. I never thought that such a small film would do so well,' said Hadawale.

'It is a very realistic film. What children do, what they feel and their antics, which are universal. It's very easy to relate to the film since you can relate with the emotions. That's why people have liked the film so much, and language did not pose a barrier. It is truly a human story.'

The film, which stands out from the clutter of big films, has won various awards and might also be sent as an independent entry to the 81st Academy Awards.

'Right now it's not decided whether we will send the film as an independent category for Oscars or not. This is a call that the producer has to take; so right now I am not very sure,' said Hadawale.

The MTV Youth Icon award was recently conferred on Hadawale, a debutant director.

'I never knew the concept of youth icon before. This is the fifth year when MTV has organised this. In earlier years they have been awarding people of the likes of Anil Ambani, Shah Rukh Khan, etc., but this year they have decided to award people who have made a standing for themselves in spite of problems and without anyone's help,' said Hadawale.

'It felt really nice.'

After the success of his debut film, the director has diverted his energies towards making a Hindi film.

'I am working on a Hindi film now. The working title of the film is 'Circus' and it will be made around the background of the Lok Sabha.

'I want to make a film which is viewed globally and appeals to the sensibilities of people the world over. It should be real with a streak of entertainment,' he said.

The young director is excited by his newfound success and would like to work with the Khan trio (Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan) apart from Hrithik Roshan, Naseeruddin Shah and Yashpal Yadav.