'Mithya' is about the search for self: Rajat Kapoor

New Delhi, Jan 18 (IANS) Bollywood director-actor Rajat Kapoor says his new movie is about finding one's identity. Drawn from mythology, it involves Lord Vishnu and Narad Muni, the divine narrator.

"Actually 'Mithya' is based on a story from some 'Puran' (Hindu religious book). At the behest of Narad Muni, Lord Vishnu converts the 'sutradhar' (narrator) Narad Muni into Princess Sushila to understand the meaning of 'maya' (materialism).

"Hence, the film showcases the search for one's identity - who am I?" Kapoor said.

He said the film, starring himself, Naseeruddin Shah, Ranvir Shorey, Neha Dhupia and Vinay Pathak, took seven years to come to life.

"I wrote the script in 1999 and since then I have been wanting to make it with Naseer, who also happens to be the first one to read the script. He agreed to do the film but we couldn't find anyone to fund it. As soon as we managed the finance, we started working on the movie."

The multifaceted Kapoor started his career as a director with "Tarana" and earned rave reviews for "Raghu Romeo" and "Mixed Doubles".

He forayed into big-time acting with the blockbuster "Dil Chahta Hai" and was largely appreciated in "Corporate", "Bheja Fry" and "Khoya Khoya Chand".

Commenting on the experience of shooting "Mithya", he said: "It was just wonderful. When you are working with friends it is such a pleasure. All of us know each other for years and we all love to improvise. Hence shooting was fun."

As an actor, his forthcoming films include "I am 24", "Anuranan", "Halla" and "Raat Gayi Baat Gayi".

Besides films, the actor also hosts a celebrity chat show on entertainment and lifestyle TV channel NDTV Good times and is set to don the hat of a quizmaster on National Geographic's quiz show "Lufthansa Nat Geo Genius".

In the quiz show, contestants will take a predetermined route across the globe to answer questions based on the countries and earn miles. Each correct answer will move the expedition to the next destination.

The participant earning the maximum number of miles would win the title and a free trip to his dream destination.

The celebrity, who was in the capital to promote the forthcoming quiz show, said hosting chat shows helped him rediscover and hone his communication skills.

"For everything new, you need a new skill. After doing the chat show, I realised that it is a quality to chat easy with people. I rediscovered my communication skills and started enjoying the process all the more."

"Playing host for a quiz show is not as easy as it looks. Because when you are acting you have to get into the skin of the character but here you have to act and be yourself at the same time. It is difficult."

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Mithya