Bettina Kay is a talented writer. She can weave magic with her words. A resident of Paris, France, Bettina is an absolute Bollywood lover. She is a big fan of Indian cinema and has penned scripts which have the potential to be made into films. In a chat with us, Bettina talks about films, writing, life and more. Excerpts:
Introduce yourself to the readers of Tellychakkar.com...
I am Bettina, a scriptwriter, a ‘Bollywood scriptwriter’. Yes, that’s the truth! India is my inspiration. I am French, of Armenian descent; I live in Paris with my husband and two sons. I have always been steeped in different cultures… Lebanon & Syria were part of my childhood. If there is a mix of romantic and realistic person, it could be me.
Tell us, what fascinates you about Bollywood?
Bollywood is full of emotion! Nowadays people hide their feelings! That is the tendency; Bollywood doesn’t follow that rule. Bollywood takes you on a charming journey through a land of magic and wonder.They deliver potent social messages; I like that. To sum up, Bollywood raises human consciousness about different subjects and facts.
How did your tryst with Bollywood begin?
Let’s put it in two acts:
First act: 2002 was my first exposure to a Hindi movie, and it was a beauty! Then followed by another, and suddenly; I discovered the Indian district in Paris, and I could not stop watching Indian movies anymore, even the old classics; It was stronger than I. I also learned about the industry, directors, comedians, their art, their life stories.
I explored Mahabharata and Ramayana to understand this mystic culture, and read many different writers from Anita Desai, Indu Sundaresan, William Dalrymple, Devdutt Pattanaik and many, many others…My iPhone is full of Indian songs (more than 1000...)
Second act:
2008, on the 8th of November, on my birthday I had this strange dream, A Bollywood movie with real actors, a new story, a complete movie! It was awesome!
The next day, thinking about my dream, I took some paper and began to write… I cannot describe my joy; It was great, the ideas were just pouring out! Many stories, different subjects. I joined a creative writing workshop, and attended master classes like John Truby’s and many others, until I became professional in the art of scriptwriting. I know I cannot stop anymore… Now, it’s time to share it with others, to create beautiful images & life stories… Bollywood brought me much joy, a lot of happy moments, it’s time I give back my share of beauty to Bollywood.
What kind of subjects do you like to write?
Reality and dreams. My subjects are about love & relationship; We see that there are as many kinds of love as there are relationships. The evolution of the Indian society, more specifically, the process of modernization. I would like to help people discover their strengths and weaknesses through the stories. Even writers learn from their writings. While reading an Indian newspaper, an article could grab my interest and hoop, a story is on its way!
French cinema is very liberal and bold in its themes and subject. How do you plan to culturally adapt your writings to suit Hindi cinema?
That is called inspiration. I don’t mix cultures, and I try to see the best in each one. There’s no perfection in life, all cultures have their positive and negative points. India and France, two different countries and two different cultures, but they could learn from each other. Maybe it was my traditional and conservative childhood education, which helped me understand Indian sensitivity, without forgetting that I have two grown up sons who had a more liberal education. The clash between two generations are one of the basis for my writing.
Hindi cinema today has two bifurcations-art cinema (touching unconventional taboo topics) and commercial cinema (clichéd subjects that are guaranteed money spinners). What kind of cinema are you more inclined towards?
Maybe a third kind, I should bring something different, shouldn’t I? I love to treat serious social subjects. At the same time, I love Bollywood songs & dances. They are a very important part of Indian culture. But I like the songs that move the plot forward or help in the development of a character. I don’t follow any rules; At the beginning, I visualize the story…. I begin writing when I feel that the characters are ready to go on living. , I try not guiding my characters, I let them tell their story.
Do you think language would be a problem for you when it comes to writing scripts?
All my scripts are written in English. I wish I could speak Hindi! But I hope English will be sufficient for the time being.
How big is Bollywood in France? Which actors and actresses are big over there?
Lately, Aanna Films is doing an excellent job in promoting Bollywood movies in France. Bollywood audiences love all the actors and actresses as long as the movies are great. And they are doing a good job in taking Indian cinema to a higher level each year.
Shah Rukh Khan &Aishwarya Rai were the first to breakthrough in France and we must not forget the presence of Bollywood at the Cannes Film Festival. We have already seen Amitabh Bachan, Sonam Kapoor, Mallika Sherawat, Uday Chopra, Ramesh Sippy and Resul Pookutty… The list is long, Anurag Kashyap has almost become a permanent guest at the festival, there is already a big buzz around his much anticipated Bombay Velvet starring Karan Johar with Ranbir Kapoor & Anushka Sharma. It may become part of the Festival's official selection!
Is it true that once SRK and Tom Cruise were put up in nearby hotels in France and there was more crowd at SRK's hotel?
That could be true! For me, if there are two movies at the same time, for sure I’ll be watching Shah Rukh Khan first.
Jean Dujardin was in India recently to film his project. Are the French now opening up to explore more avenues in India?
Jean Dujardin was in India in January to shoot a new film by Claude Lelouch. At 76, he is one of the most famous French directors. Claude Lelouch who won two Oscars, said “I feel that the 50 movies I have done so far were just a preparation for the next one I am planning which will revolve around India and Amma.”
“Receiving Amma’s darshan was more touching than winning my Oscars and Palme d’Or Awards.”
I perfectly understand this profound and spiritual encounter as I feel myself very concerned by India. The French also welcomed the latest book of poetry from famous lyricist and scriptwriter Javed Akhtar now translated into French. To answer your question, it's obvious that there are new paths between the two countries.
Which filmmakers would you like to work with?
Let me rephrase this question.
If you have a bittersweet romantic drama or you have a historical drama or romantic comedy/ drama...who would you pick? There are great filmmakers out there. I’m currently writing a screenplay for a well-known filmmaker, whom I met on my last trip to Mumbai. But I believe in destiny, let’s wait and see with whom I’m destined to work!
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