What is your film all about?
The film is about a place in Darjeeling, the center of Darjeeling called the Chowrasta. The film revolves around four stories or situations that happen and meet at the Chowrasta. All the characters are in trouble, running away from reality, living in the past or in confusion and somehow, they find that Darjeeling gives them the courage to live again.

Why is your film titled Chowrasta?
Chowrasta is like Delhi-6, it is centrally located and it is the place where people hang out. I have named it Crossroads Of Love because anybody who is not familiar with Darjeeling will not know what the Chowrasta is.

Why a film on Darjeeling?
It is one of the most beautiful places in our country. I grew up there have spent almost 15 years in Darjeeling and that place is really close to my heart. But Darjeeling has been ignored for a long time and the govt has done nothing about and that is why there is an uprising there today. I am not a politician but I just wanted to do my bit towards improving the situation today. I felt, I needed to uphold and show Darjeeling in the right way.

Aren’t your films off-beat unusual?
I think it is time to make unusual films. A lot of filmmakers are making unusual films and that is definitely because people want to see different kinds of films.

You are known to have an interesting ensemble cast, who are a part of the cast this time around?
There is Victor Banerjee who plays a tea seller, Atul Kulkarni, who I always wanted to work with plays a terrorist and Rupa Ganguly, plays an actress.

What is the message that the film conveys?
As a filmmaker, I just want to show the beauty of Darjeeling. I want to show the life of the people there, the strength of that place and how it has been ignored.

In these troubled time, do you think your film will serve the purpose?
I think so, because I am talking about hope. I am saying that in spite of all the problems in our country, the story is about India. The characters are also in trouble and my story is about survival and the strength to move ahead. We need to show hope now instead of the tragedy and violence.

What are the film’s prospects of working at the box-office considering the ongoing tussle between distributors and multiplexes?
The movement had to happen because the deal between the multiplex owners and the distributors is not fair. But I am extremely sorry because I have to release my film. I have already kept the film on hold for a long time and now if I do not release it my film will get shelved. I hope the audiences come to watch the film and appreciate it.

Is this the right time to release your film?
No time is right or wrong. Irrespective of the IPL and the elections I still think that the film will work because people want entertainment.

Are you planning to showcase the film at film festivals?
Yes, we have already been to the Goa film festival and now we are planning to go to Berlin.

Where was the film shot?
The entire film is shot in Darjeeling. I have used real characters, local actors and the film has been shot in famous landmarks across the city like Capital Cinema and the Chowrasta.

Any memorable moment that you would like to share with us.
Throughout the shooting, there was an uprising going on in Darjeeling. But not once did the people there create a ruckus. All this is possible only in a place like Darjeeling where everybody does his or her own thing.

Has Hindi cinema evolved or is it changing?
Hundred per cent. With filmmakers like with Anurag Kahsyap, Rajeev Menon and Dibakar Banerjee, Bollywood is coming of age and I am very convinced of it.

Anything that you think needs to change with regard to Bollywood?
The audiences are changing and cinema is evolving. In spite of that, we are still hanging on to this vain concept of Indian stars ruling the cinema. All over the world every actor is given equal importance. But in our country an actor like K K Menon becomes lesser than an Akshay Kumar who is considered a star. I hope Bollywood improves on that and starts appreciating actors for their performances rather than their star status.