IN JANUARY 2008

'The Japanese Wife', Kunal Basu's collection of short stories releases at the Jaipur Literary Festival on 28th January 2008.

The film based on the short story will be released in 2008 as well. It is directed by acclaimed director Aparna Sen and stars Rahul Bose, Raima Sen, Moushumi Chatterjee, and Japanese actress Chigasu Takaku in the title role. It is the story of Snehmoy (Rahul Bose) and Miyage (Chigasu Takaku), pen friends who exchange wedding vows through letters. Fifteen years pass but they never meet, though the bond of marriage remains strong. This unusual relationship comes under a cloud when a young widow, Sandhya (Raima Sen), comes to stay with Snehmoy along with her eight-year-old son (Rudranil Ghosh). What about the wedding vows? Will the intimacy of words be tested by the intimacy of life.

Basu’s short story collection holds the answers. We got a sneak peek into this world at the Singapore Writers Festival and I can't wait to read the rest.

In addition to the lead story, the collection includes other stories about unexpected love and accidental gifts; about living among strangers; about living elsewhere and in ones’ dreams. The stories have a full cast of characters whose lives are never quite as ordinary as they seem.