NEW DELHI: James Bobin lived in London’s Brick Lane for 10 years and watched his share of Bollywood entertainers. Now, the director of The Muppets and its forthcoming sequel Muppets Most Wanted, wishes to collaborate with Indian stars like Amitabh Bachchan and Irrfan Khan.
Bobin wants Indian viewers to soak in the “chaotic, colourful and musical” fun that Muppets Most Wanted offers.
In an interview, the Los Angeles-based director shared the idea behind the sequel, which releases in the US and India on Friday.
He shared that he is well-acquainted with the Bollywood industry. “I watched a lot of films in local restaurants. In more recent times, I’m a big fan of Amitabh Bachchan and think Irrfan Khan is great. I would love to do something with either,” he said.
On the question of whether characters like the Muppets only appeal to kids, Bobin commented, “When Jim Henson created the Muppet Show back in the 1970s; he very much squarely aimed at everybody. It was on in the evening in Britain and the US and therefore, really targeted at adults. But children, of course, also loved it.”
“I sort of feel the same now and ensure it works just as well for the 40-year-old me as it does for my six-year-old daughter. And I really think Muppets Most Wanted does that. Adults, I hope, will love it,” he added.
Shot primarily in Britain with a few days on stage in LA, the film is going to be an “out-and-out comedy,” according to Bobin.
He feels that the audiences will enjoy “the songs, the laughs, and the heart” in the film. “Emotion is a very important part of any Muppet movie – you [are made to] care for the whole Muppet gang and I’m really pleased that people have fond memories of them from their childhood.
Bobin said that there will hopefully be more of Muppet films. “The ending is open-minded and besides, Muppet movies often don’t follow on from each other. So, they could really do anything they wanted from this point.”
Published in The Express Tribune, March 21st, 2014.
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