We are not trying to use Ajay’s name for Parched: Leena Yadav

Mumbai, Sep 21 (PTI) Director Leena Yadav, who is lookingforward to the India release of her internationally acclaimedmovie "Parched", has denied using the name of her producerAjay Devgn to grab eyeballs for the project. "Ajay was part of the film right from the birth of theidea. His presence is not a gimmick. We are not trying to useAjay’s name for our film. The film has a strong content and wewant people to watch the film for its story. Ajay is justsupporting us," Leena told PTI. Usually with the presence of a known face for a film themakers are able to create more buzz about the project. Quiz the helmer on this and she says, "None of us can sayif the film can get attention due to Ajay’s presence or not.If the film has a good story then it will definetly work." For Leena the trouble while making "Parched" was gettingfinances in place. "Getting money was a blessing in disguise for this film.We are grateful to get people to back our story. Also I hadactresses who are fantastic and talented but not stars. It’s airony that people believe in stars," she added. Set in a village in Rajasthan "Parched" is the story ofthree women Rani (Tannishtha Chatterjee), Lajjo (Radhika Apte)and Bijli (Surveen Chawla) who take bold steps to change thetrajectory of their lives for the better. "The idea for "Parched" came from my visits to severalvillages and cities. I got my inspiration from my visits tolot of places. Its a universal story.. women abroad also faceproblems," Leena said. "We think problems are happening in the villages, theWest thinks it is happening in the East but the fact is thatthese stories about women facing oppression are everywhere." Leena reveals she did not face much difficulty whilefinalising the cast for "Parched". "I choose people who fit the role and there is no dearthof talent in our country. I had some trouble casting forSurveen Chawla’s role. I have managed to get the mostcommitted and brave actors," she added. The director also did not accord too much importance tothe intimate scenes featuring Radhika Apte and Adil Hussainwhich were leaked on the internet. (MORE) PTI KKP DKJCHRYS