I wish to bring Brie to India: Lakshmi Manchu

We don’t usually get an opportunity to be with kids all the time; a getaway fulfils it. Also, my dad is the cutest when he is on a holiday

Actress Lakshmi Manchu is relieved that her long-in-the-making Hollywood project, ‘Basmati Blues’, in which she plays a key supporting role Sita, is finally gearing up for a global release. The film stars her Academy Award winning good friend Brie Larson in the lead role.

A musical comedy about love and adventure, it narrates the story of a starry-eyed scientist (Brie Larson) who creates genetically modified rice with her father (Scott Bakula), post which their boss (Donald Sutherland) sends them to India to market it to rural farmers. Ambi Distribution has come on to represent international rights (of the film) in Cannes.

“It’s always exciting when your film is coming out and it’s got some huge distribution. Then again, the makers are not is a rush to send it out; they are waiting for a proper release date. I’ve been waiting with bated breath for the film to open and I’m super excited,” points out Lakshmi from London where she is on a holiday with her family.

Lakshmi admits that with Brie bagging an Oscar for ‘The Room’, the film has managed to attract more eyeballs. “It’s because of her we are able to make noise about the film. She had not done ‘The Room’ when she started shooting for our film. And it’s all come together for her so amazing well.

What an honour,” exults the multifaceted personality, who has been a part of string of American TV series such as ‘Las Vegas’, ‘Desperate Housewives’, ‘Boston Legal’ and ‘Mystery ER’.

Lakshmi has shot for the ‘Basmati Blues’ in Kerala. “It was interesting to shoot there with a bunch of Americans who’ve never been to India before. And looking at the beauty of our country through their eyes, I fell in love with Indian all our again,” she roars beaming.

Heaping high praise on the film’s director Dan Baron and producer Monique Caulfield, she shares, “They did a fabulous job in believing their passion and what they really wanted to tell the world. It’s not easy making a musical in India and that too with English actors but they managed to pull it off with talents like Scott Bakula, Donald Sutherland and Utkarsh Ambudkar, who is now one of the Simpsons, on board.”

Would she be requesting Brie to come to India, especially Hyderabad to spread a word or two about the film? “I would love her to come over here. What a fun it would be,” she smiles, “Yeah, let’s see. I hope we can and I’m looking forward to it. When it happens, you people will know it.”

So, what’s on the travel itinerary; we hear it’s a ten-day holiday? “Be with kids, plays with them, eat with them and sleep with them. We don’t usually get an opportunity to be with kids all the time; a getaway fulfils it. Also, my dad is the cutest when he is on a holiday,” signs off Lakshmi with a laugh.