AHMEDABAD: Joseph Mungra's Gujarati has a strong Saurashtrian twang, giving you no indication that this Hollywood filmmaker was brought up in Seattle.
His farmer father had migrated to the US from Rampur village in Jamnagar when he was young. But Joseph's heart is still in Gujarat and is now discreetly shooting his pet project 'American Gandhi' here. The film's lead role is played by James Patrick Stuart, a star of a number of TV serials, like CSI.
Joseph says the plot is about how India needs another Gandhi and this time he is coming from the US. "It is about how people from abroad come here and make a mess of things in their pursuit for wealth," he said.
'American Gandhi's' plot revolves around Mark Martin, played by Stuart, who is a skilled but unemployed mining analyst. His billionaire friend sends him on a job to India to manage and upgrade metal mines. Corruption, blatant disregard for law and uncooperative local population put him in an ethical dilemma - to follow success or serve the poor. The story is set in the backdrop of a nomadic tribe of Gujarat and tells of the hardships faced by villagers in India.
Tell him the villages of Gujarat are well-off compared to other parts of the country and he says in chaste Gujarati, "I know exactly how poor my village is. You have all the facilities in urban areas and you can't even get drinking water in the villages. I came back to Gujarat for the film because it is my home."
Part of the film has been shot near Mandvi in Kutch with a mixed crew from Americans and locals. At present, he is busy shooting in villages of Holmadh and Jalsika near Wankaner.
Mungra has worked on various Hollywood films in different positions including 'Something Wicked', which he had scripted.
The film starred well-known actress Brittany Murphy of hits like 'Clueless', 'Just Married', 'Girl Interrupted', 'Uptown Girls' and 'Happy Feet' and was released after her death.
His farmer father had migrated to the US from Rampur village in Jamnagar when he was young. But Joseph's heart is still in Gujarat and is now discreetly shooting his pet project 'American Gandhi' here. The film's lead role is played by James Patrick Stuart, a star of a number of TV serials, like CSI.
Joseph says the plot is about how India needs another Gandhi and this time he is coming from the US. "It is about how people from abroad come here and make a mess of things in their pursuit for wealth," he said.
'American Gandhi's' plot revolves around Mark Martin, played by Stuart, who is a skilled but unemployed mining analyst. His billionaire friend sends him on a job to India to manage and upgrade metal mines. Corruption, blatant disregard for law and uncooperative local population put him in an ethical dilemma - to follow success or serve the poor. The story is set in the backdrop of a nomadic tribe of Gujarat and tells of the hardships faced by villagers in India.
Tell him the villages of Gujarat are well-off compared to other parts of the country and he says in chaste Gujarati, "I know exactly how poor my village is. You have all the facilities in urban areas and you can't even get drinking water in the villages. I came back to Gujarat for the film because it is my home."
Part of the film has been shot near Mandvi in Kutch with a mixed crew from Americans and locals. At present, he is busy shooting in villages of Holmadh and Jalsika near Wankaner.
Mungra has worked on various Hollywood films in different positions including 'Something Wicked', which he had scripted.
The film starred well-known actress Brittany Murphy of hits like 'Clueless', 'Just Married', 'Girl Interrupted', 'Uptown Girls' and 'Happy Feet' and was released after her death.
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