by Subhash K Jha

Rituparno Ghosh is currently busy with his film Khela, which he promises will be different from his last two films. "Enough dark brooding chamber pieces.

My last two releases Raincoat and Antar Mahal go into dark territory. Even my new Bengali film Dosar, which is ready for release is a black-and-white brooding work...Now I want to loosen up, be happy, make a bright young film."

He was slated to start a marital drama with Bipasha Basu and his favourite leading man Prasenjit. "But I've abandoned that idea. In my new film, a child Akashneel plays the lead."

Ritu and his leading lady Manisha Koirala seem to have struck up another unputdownable friendship, just like Ritu and Ash. "Manisha is so lovely and such a wonderful actress," says Ritu, gushing over his leading lady.

Manisha Koirala and Prasenjit play the child's parents. "It's just a 7-day role for Manisha. I'm excited about working with her. She was supposed to be part of Antar Mahal. But that didn't work out. Manisha is an extremely talented and beautiful actress. It's a pity she doesn't take herself more seriously," tut-tuts Ritu.

His old favourites Roopa Ganguly and Raima Sen also star in Khela. "Raima plays a costume designer. Yes, the film is partially set in the film industry. Prosenjit plays a filmmaker.... What really excites me is the fact that this would be my first film to be shot outdoors after my first, Titli. And I haven't really worked with a child in a central role."

Does he have problems directing the boy? "Not at all. If he kicks me, I'll kick him back. If Akash is a brat, I'm a bigger brat.... I'm really enjoying directing Khela. It's a frothy, fun, get-happy film. After a long time, I feel I'm doing a film that I can call a party."