Mithya is inspired from mythology: Rajat

A mythological film may not have any takers but what about a film roughly based on a discussion between two mythological characters. Well, actor-director Rajat Kapoor's next directorial venture Mithya has a similar tale to tell.

"Once I read somewhere about a conversation between Lord Vishnu and Narad where after much persuasion Vishnu explains Narad the meaning of Maya. It was from there that I got the inspiration for the script of the film," says Rajat.

"It is about finding one's identity, one's inner self," says the two-time National Award winning director.

Although, the film will hit the screen early next month, Rajat says he wanted to make the film nine years back with Naseeruddin Shah as the lead.

"This script has been with me since 1999. I wanted Naseeruddin Shah to play the lead then but I couldn't arrange enough money to produce the film. Now Ranveer Shorey is playing the protagonist and Naseerji is playing another important character," he says.

Rajat, who introduced the audience to a different form of comedy with films like Raghu Romeo and Mixed Doubles says he is a humourous person. "There is humour in me which gets reflected in my films but I don't believe in slapstick comedy," he says.

Mithya, which is a comic thriller, has one of the best starcast, including actors like Vinay Pathak, Saurav Shukla, Ranveer Shorey, Naseeruddin Shah and Neha Dhupia but ask Rajat and he says, "I feel lucky".

"I am very fortunate to work with people who have been my friends for a long time, especially Vinay. We have been pals since our theatre days. He is like my brother," says Rajat, who paired up with the actor in films like Bheja fry and Khoya Khoya Chand.

Rajat, who has portrayed different roles with equal elan, says he has his hands full with a number of films. "I have just completed Raat Gayi to Baat Gayi for which I had to sport a beard. I also needed to shave my head for Saurav Shukla's, I am 24. There is also Satish Kaushik's Tere Sang and Sunil Doshi's Halla, he says.

However, Rajat, who is otherwise an accomplished actor says it is direction where his heart lies. "I have always wanted to be a director. Acting happened to me but I am happy because it was after my acting career took off that I could gather enough resource to make my kind of films. However, I would like to be remembered as a director," says Rajat.