'Real Goan ethos' in new Sippy film

Inspired by the realistic style used in Steven Soderberg's "Traffic", Rohan Sippy is set to direct a film about drug-peddling in Goa and he is looking at a cast that can look as Goan as possible.

"I want to get into the cinema verite (French term for realistic cinema) with this film. I'm deeply inspired by the realistic style used in Steven Soderberg's 'Traffic' and even 'District 9', though that's not at all the space I'm entering in my new film," Rohan said.

"Even my crime caper 'Bluffmaster' was shot on actual locations. But now I want to capture the real Goan ethos and spirit. And for that I need my actors to act, look, behave, dress and speak like Goans," he added.

"We're in talks with others including Pratik Babbar. But no one except Abhishek has been finalized. Like I said I want actors who can look like authentic Goans," said Rohan.

Abhishek, currently shooting in Goa for Ashutosh Gowariker's period film "Khelenge Hum Jee Jaan Se", is using his spare time to cruise the beaches and cafes to understand how the Goan underbelly works.

The actor is also trying to pick up Portuguese and Konkani for the character of the drug-busting cop he plays in Rohan's film.

Since a lot of the film is to be shot on the crowded streets and beaches of Goa, Rohan will construct sets whenever actual Goan locations would be impossible to shoot.

Asked why Aishwarya isn't in the cast of his film, he said: "The minute I think of a project, I think of both of them in the cast. Though my new film has a couple of strong female parts, Aishwarya doesn't fit in."

It has been more than four years since Rohan directed "Bluffmaster".

"Why only that? I've directed only two films in seven years. Now my writer Sridhar Raghavan has written three scripts that I'd like to direct. Hopefully, I'd like to make up for lost time," said Rohan who recently tied the knot with Roopa De Chowdhury.

Speaking about his wife, he said: "She was the line producer for my production 'Chandni Chowk To China' and also on board for Arjun Rampal's production. She's a very private person and doesn't like me discussing her in public."