/> Though Santosh Sivan's new film is called Before The Rains he won't be able to release it this monsoon. In September Santosh heads for the 32nd Toronto International Film Festival with his Rain refrain. "I'm looking forward to Toronto where the film will be premiered and where our film is positioned with some interesting films"

Before The Rains is set in Kerala during British times. "Our protagonist is a British planter who shares a bonding with Rahul Bose 's character who works for him. The film is essentially a human drama and about individual choices. This film was offered to me by Echo -lake productions and Adirondrack films. "

Why Kerala? "We adapted the script to Kerala, since it also dealt with times of colonization. It has always fascinated me to see these winding roads leading through forests into spice hills,like Wynad and the stories of how the Brits had constructed those roads with the help of the locals a long time back,. "

Says Santosh, "We shot the film in Munnar with a mixed cast and crew from London,India and the US. It was quite interesting to see the chemisty among the mixed crew"

The cinematographer-turned-director is pleased with his cast. "I've known Rahul Bose for a long time and I was very interested in seeing him in this sort of a different role. And Nandita Das is someone who can effortlessly handle the extremes of emoting in the role offered. And we had Linus Roache, who is quite a perfectionist. "

You wonder where Santosh has been since his last rather tamely -received directorial outing Navarasa.

Sighs Santosh, "Navarasa was made with a candid camera. It was like merging documentary,fiction and myth. And it was in Tamil. The language and the subject were a reflection of our times. And I used mostly non -actors.

For the kind of film it was it did well in the multiplexes in Chennai. The film was patronised by a select audience. It was also released in Japan and won awards in quite a few places. "

As a cinematographer turned director Santosh finds himself in an advantageous position. "Cinema is a visual language. And the reason for being offered all kinds of films in different languages is because I am a cinematographer first.

It has been easy to make my journey through Malayalam to Tamil to Bollywood and Hollywood. Its interesting for me to start all over again every time and try and experiment with the filmmaking format. "

Santosh has so far received five National awards for cinematography. "I still think I'm learning. Directing, I really don't do for a living. I try different kind of films,in different languages for different audiences. I made two children's films. I'm very close to all my films. The levels of interest in them among viewers is their choice. I personally think everyone should make the kind of films they want to. There's no right or wrong as long as the filmmakers believe in themselves. "

Santosh continues to be interested in cinematography first. "Some interesting projects are happening. And I'm invited by the Japanese Society of Cinematographers. They are honouring me by screening my films. As of now I've my hands full directing a BBC film titled Wedding Party set in Afganisthan. I'm planning to make a Hindi film later this year. "

Currently Santosh Sivan is finishing the 4 -film project for the Bill Gates foundation.

"Vishal Bharadwaj, Farhan Akhtar, Mira Nair and I are making four short- films on AIDS. It's a new challenge, and therefore welcome. "