Director Ajay Bahl seems to have got the fundas right in his debut film. B A Pass got rave reviews and a sizeable audience.
Says the director, `I guess the sexual theme of my film managed to get it noticed. Also, we came a week ahead of Shah Rukh Khan's Chennai Express, so I guess some of his success rubbed off on us. `
Critics have praised B A Pass except for a few who have criticized the film's love-making scenes.
`I could have gone a few steps ahead with the sex. I could have made the love-making scenes more explicit. One critics has complained about Shilpa Shukla keeping her clothes on while making love.
Shilpa is a thorough professional. She would have gone topless if I had asked her to. But finally we were making a film for Indian audiences. And a lot of Indians like to make love with their clothes on, ` observes the auteur director.
His next film could be based on his own struggle todirector a film. Ajay sold off his property to collect funds for B. A Pass. `I had no choice. For 7 years I went from door to door to producers with my script. That I was a recognized DOP (cinematographer) in the film industry didn't really help my cause. `
Two corporate houses said yes to Ajay and then backed out at the last miniute. `I had no choice. I either funded my own dreams, or given up on them. I am looking happily at the progress of B A Pass. It seems to have pleased critics and viewers. It's a dark film. But why do we shun darkness? Isn't it as seductive as light, and certainly more mysterious?` wonders Ajay.
His live-in girlfriend Avantika who is not much of a movie buff liked B A Pass. `She is more into literature. I think the fact that B A Pass is based on a short story got her interested. `
