Music is an inseparable part of Anurag Basu’s life

Music is an inseparable part of Anurag Basu’s life and cinema and the director says his day starts and ends with listening to his favourite songs. In an era when song sequences in Hindi movies have suffered, Basu is one of those rare filmmakers to cleverly use music to further the story of his films. That’s why, Basu’s films (“Murder”, “Gangster”, “Life in a… Metro”, “Barfi” and “Jagga Jasoos” et al) are such a hit with music lovers.

Music is an integral part of my movies and my life. From morning till evening, I’m always listening to music… all kinds of music. Since it is there in my life, it naturally seeps into my movies as well. I cannot write a single line of a script if I’m not listening to music. So, it is very organic that music becomes important for storytelling in my movies,” Basu told PTI in an interview.

The 47-year-old filmmaker was keen to make a biopic on Kishore Kumar for the longest time. Though the project could not take off, Basu said it is his personal wish that the singer’s story is told on the big screen.

Last I heard that filmmaker Amit Kumar (the singer’s son) wanted to make the movie on Kishore Kumar. But whoever it is, I want this film to be made immediately. I have always loved Kishore Kumar and want his story to be told on the screen,” he said.

As a director of nine movies so far, Basu said he is now aware of his biggest weakness and he is constantly trying to overcome it.

There has never been any self-criticism but I often doubt myself. Whenever I complete a script, I start doubting myself. I believe that this is my biggest drawback. When you write something good, then one shouldn’t question it again and again as it can ruin your hard work. But I’m trying to overcome this,” he added.

The filmmaker is currently revelling in the success of his last movie, “Ludo”, which has been nominated for four awards at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) Awards 2021.

The annual awards ceremony of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2021 will be held virtually on August 20.