Aseem Bajaj

Leena Yadav's globally acclaimed film Parched about four spirited women in rural Rajasthan battling patriarchy is all set for an Indian release next Friday.

The Indian Censor Board has not only lauded the film for its content, but also shown tremendous liberality by leaving the film's powerful , sometimes disturbing content untouched.

Says the film's producer Aseem Bajaj (a reputed cinematographer and the film's director Leena Yadav's husband), "The Censor Board has passed the film for 'Adults Only' with just a few cuts. We are very grateful to the Censor Board. They've shown immense empathy, sensitivity and generosity towards Parched ." Apparently, there were two women members in the jury of the Censor Board who were moved to tears by Leena Yadav's film.

Says Aseem, "They were all moved and were reluctant to cut anything except a shot of a bare breast. They said it (a breast) does not jell with the Indian audiences' sensibility. We were okay with that. They gave us the option of removing or blurring the breast. We chose the latter option." The Censor Board has also objected to some abusive language. That too was willingly removed.

Says Aseem, "There were scenes showing little boys using abusive language. The Board members felt it was not needed. We agreed to remove the abuses and the breast shot as they in no way affected our storytelling." Aseem feels the Censor Board is a much-maligned entity. "In my experience, they are fair and just and doing their jobs to the best of their abilities."

In what must rank as a very rare honour and privilege Bollywood's well-known DOP (Director Of Photography) Aseem Bajaj who has to his credit the cinematography of Chameli, Gol Maal Fun Unlimited and Son Of Sardaar has done the cinematography of the eagerly awaited Steve Jobs bio-pics Jobs . Aseem was chosen to shoot the portions showing Ashton Kutcher as Steve Jobs visiting India . Says Aseem, "Yes, I am the Indian Director Of Photography for Jobs . I shot with Ashton Kutcher. I had a beautiful time working with the film's DOP Russel Carpenter who has done the photography of James Cameron's Titanic . It was a huge honour for me to work with this legend behind the lenses. It was also an honour to work with the film's director Mr. Joshua Michale Sterns. Not too many Indian technicians get the chance to work with such stalwarts. I am humbled." Aseem did the cinematography for the Indian portion of the storytelling in Jobs when Ashton Kutcher is seen traveling to India in the 1970s in search of enlightenment and nirvana.

Says Aseem, "We shot in Delhi and Vrindavan. It was just three days shooting. But such a learning experience for me. Their work method is so unique. They are such evolved people." Incidentally working with international cinematic icons seems to run in Aseem Bajaj's family. His wife, the director Leena Bajaj is the only Indian to have shot with Ben Kingsley in Teen Patti .