‘Delhi Belly’ is no desi ‘American Pie’, says Abhinay Deo

Mumbai: Ever since Abhinay Deo came up with the idea of ‘Delhi Belly’, news has it that the movie been in the eye of storm and is courting huge controversies. Dubbed as a sexual comedy, ‘Delhi Belly’ is already making waves in Bollywood – an industry which is vary of anything experimental, be it alternative cinema or display of inhibited sexuality.

In order to clear the air about his upcoming flick, director Abhinay Deo spoke about his film and its so-called risqué status in a recent newspaper interview. According to Deo, he would like to call ‘Delhi Belly’ a social comedy rather than an out and out sex comedy. “Although it has been labelled as a sex comedy in certain sections of the press, I would call it a social comedy. Yes, some portions of the dialogue and some situations are risqué, but I would think twice before calling ‘Delhi Belly’ the desi ‘American Pie’.”

“‘Delhi Belly’ is not a film about Imran Khan. He is only one of the several protagonists. There are others whose characters as just as important. There is Kunaal Roy Kapoor, Vir Das and Poorna Jagannathan, an Indian actress from LA”, added Deo.

Talking on the rumours about ‘Delhi Belly’ being delayed in order to ensure the completion of Kiran Rao’s ‘Dhobi Ghat’, Deo said, “‘Delhi Belly’ is not in the same zone as Kiran’s film. Kiran’s is a Mumbai film. Mine, though located in Delhi, is not really a Delhi-centric film. It can be situated in any large metropolitan city.”

When asked whether ‘Delhi Belly’ was being reshot, Deo was quick to add, “It’s not reshooting, it’s patchwork. The additional three-day shoot is for continuity. It’s a standard procedure.”

On being asked why ‘Delhi Belly’ is in English, Deo quipped, “We’re aiming at an international release. It will be released for non-NRI audience in the West. We hope to target the same audience that enjoyed Gurinder Chadha’s ‘Bend It Like Beckham’.”