Wearing a black suit over rubber sandals, amidst the creme de la creme, could make anyone awkward. But not for nonchalant Shekhar Kapur, who still had girls swooning over him at a fashion show in Bangalore recently.

“Neither prejudiced by the past, nor in fear of the future. The moment, only the moment.” - inscribed on his homepage aptly describes this Padma Shri winner. From sensitive Masoom, science-fiction Mr India, critically-acclaimed Bandit Queen, British period drama Elizabeth and sequel Elizabeth: The Golden Age - Shekhar truly lives for the moment.

Strange to see serious film-maker Shekhar Kapur at a fashion do in Bangalore.
I am here to extend my support to my family - Suresh, his wife Jamila and daughter Seema Malhotra for their bridal store ‘Shimmer’. Suresh is my first cousin and Jamila and Seema have designed costumes for my film Elizabeth.

What does fashion mean to you?

There’s a saying in Punjabi - Akhianda sukh - meaning feast to the eyes. Fashion is beautiful. Beautiful people wearing beautiful clothes look great. India has very talented designers and are ready to take on the international market.

For how long have you known Bangalore now?

Not many know, I wrote the story of my first film Masoom sitting in a room at the Taj West End hotel here. That’s how long my association has been with this City. The ambience was green and serene, making it a perfect location. I have also come time and again for location hunts. I am also one of the founders of Virgin Comics located in this City. Since Suresh lives here, I also come to meet family often. Bangalore has been very much a part of me. Bangalore is still very beautiful. But why are there so many traffic jams!

 Tell us about your upcoming projects.

I have just finished Elizabeth: The Golden Age. My next venture is called Paani. It’s an English film with a Hindi title. What to do, a recent film took away the title in English (laughs).

What does Paani talk about?

Paani is the story of a city that has been divided into the upper and the lower city, set in the year 2025. Global warming has taken place leading to severe water shortage. The upper city sucks up all the water and then drip feeds the lower city.

Water is now a weapon of economic and political oppression. Paani is actually a love story set in 2025. I am still in the writing stage. The film will be shot in India and will have completely new people in the cast.

Any recent Bollywood film that you liked?

Taare Zameen Par.

Shekhar Kapur ten years from now...

Living in a cave in the Himalayas. Trust me.