EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW - Ruchi Narain

Meet Ruchi Narain. The 30-something filmmaker, a protege of renowned director Sudhir Mishra, scooped up critical acclaim for her debut film Kal - Yesterday and Tomorrow. The Shiney Ahuja-Chitrangada Singh thriller picked up the critic's award at the 2005 Osian's Cinefan film festival, New Delhi.

Narain, who also co-wrote Mishra's Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi and Calcutta Mail, then disappeared from the Bollywood scene - ostensibly to take a break from four years of non-stop work since 'Hazaaron..'. But she kept herself busy by dabbling in music videos, ad films and documentaries.

Fans of this young filmmaker need not despair. Ruchi told Toe Knee Unplugged she's hard at work on three feature film scripts - a thriller, a love story and a romantic comedy - and promises it won't be too long a wait coz she's itching to make a feature film.

So, how has Ruchi spent her 'off' year?

"I directed the Indian Idol II video, a couple of ad films (one with John Abraham). But frankly, more exciting for me was to produce two wildlife documentaries directed by my sister Ashima."

The documentary 'In The Pink' (about flamingoes in Mumbai) was bought by Discovery, earning both sisters a shot at another documentary, this time 'The Last Dance' (about dancing bears). A different kind of world, eh?

"For me, this was a whole new world. Quite invigorating to see another 'kind' of life after being immersed in one's own films and imagination for so long."

Surprisingly, Ruchi is not writing mentor Sudhir Mishra's latest flick Khoya Khoya Chand which stars Shiney Ahuja (once again!) and Soha Ali Khan. But she's associated with the film as its Second Unit Director. And notice how Ruchi goes ga-ga over Soha's work.

"Soha is an absolutely brilliant, natural and sophisticated actor. She will floor everyone with this film not just with her acting ... she looks beautiful."

Since Khoya Khoya Chand is a love story in the backdrop of the Hindi film industry in the 1950-60s, Ruchi shot reel premieres for the film, including one set in Delhi's famous Regal cinema.

But even the magic of cinema fails when it comes to Ruchi's first love. The young director had the most fun shooting action scenes involving horses.

"Because in between takes, I'd jump onto one of the horses and take off for a quick ride"