She loves Ram Gopal Varma's film "Rangeela" and her favourite place on earth is definitely Mumbai. And now German filmmaker Merle Kroeger plans to make her next movie in that city with an Indian director and an Indian cast.

For 40-year-old Kroeger, India means much more than colourful forts, palaces and rich culture. It means the warmth and joy exuded by a close-knit group of friends who visit one another every year.

"I really don't want to use the clichéd phrase that I love India because of its rich culture and the exuberance on the streets. Of course, it is all of that. But I love coming back to India year after year because of a close group of friends here whom I just have to meet at least once or twice a year," Kroeger told.

With 20 films to her credit, Kroeger is a documentary filmmaker who heads a production house. Having travelled immensely across the globe to research various topics that form the subject of her films or for film festivals, Kroeger has met a number of Indians - and among them many filmmakers - with whom she immediately struck a chord.

"I have some very good friends in the Indian film industry whom I visit every year. These friendships go back 10-15 years. When I am in Mumbai, I travel by the local bus and train, go shopping with my friends and enjoy every bit of my stay. People find it hard to believe but I love Mumbai more than Berlin!" she laughed.

Kroeger's love for the country was even more apparent when she penned her debut book "Cut" on which her upcoming movie will be based. A thriller-drama, the book's protagonist, a young German girl, traces her roots to the Indian film industry.

Although the book's German version was published in Germany in 2003 itself, "Cut" was translated into English and published in India only last year by the Katha Publishing House.

"I have had to do a lot of research for this book which traces the relationship between India and Germany. The first part of the research was about Indian soldiers in the German army. The second was during the 1970s when India had donned a changed look, be it in books, poetry or music. Everything Indian was fashionable in Germany.

"For instance, I remember my mother was a voracious reader of cultural icon Rabindranath Tagore at that time. The third phase is that of the present, the similarities and the differences in the culture and cinema of the two countries which I am experiencing," Kroeger explained.

All the three phases, she said, have intertwined and formed the foundation of her book.

Now planning to make the book into a movie, Kroeger has a number of Indian directors in mind. "The film will be a co-production. I have seen a lot of work by Indian film directors. I like Ram Gopal Varma's work and 'Rangeela' is one of my favourite films.

"Besides that, I also like Onir's work and was there when he was making 'My Brother Nikhil'. Then there is Ashim Ahluwalia. We are still to decide on one name," she said.

Talking about actors, Kroeger admits that she really likes Sanjay Suri's work. "But we are yet to decide the cast. There will be German actors as well," Kroeger said.

In India for the Osian Cinefan film festival which has been on in Delhi, Kroeger said she regrets having a short trip to India this time but is sure that she will be back very soon.

"Expect the movie by next year," she smiled.