The film has been directed by New York based writer-director Manish Gupta, who stumbled upon filmmaking simply because one day, he found life working in a software company boring. He made a list of the things he wanted to do, and making a film was an important element on that list.

He got himself enrolled in the New York Film Academy, where he made a feature film called Indian Fish in American Waters. Karma And Holi is his next.

Naomi is not the only international figure in the film. It has been produced by Drena De Niro, the daughter of Hollywood veteran Robert De Niro. Drena also stars in the film.

Gupta spoke to Nithya Ramani about working with an eclectic mix of Indian and international actors, and much more.

What is Karma And Holi about?

The film is about six couples, who get together to celebrate Holi. Sushmita and Randeep Hooda play one of the couples. Later, they play truth and dare, and that's when some dark secrets are revealed. The secrets cause a strain in the relationships.

It's a simple film. Everybody will be able to relate with at least one character.

The story is based in New York, so some of the guests are not Indians.

How did you get Drena and Naomi involved in your project?

My first film did the rounds in the US and I got to meet many people. One of them was Drena. She was setting up her production house in New York. She was the first person with whom I shared the script of Karma and Holi.

She decided to produce the film and knew many celebrities like Naomi Campbell, The Sopranos actor Vincent Curatola and rapper Sticky Fingaz.

What about the Indian cast?

One of the main characters is Meera and I somehow saw Meera in Sushmita. When I narrated the script to her, she said she was exactly like Meera. I met Randeep at a workshop and liked his way of working, the way he portrayed his character. I knew Suchitra Krishnamurthy, so she came on board too.

All the Indian actors -- Sushmita, Randeep, Suchitra, Suresh Oberoi and Rati Agnihotri -- loved the script when I narrated it to them. I suggested that they come to New York and mingle with the other actors, and have fun. The result would be a movie! So that's what happened -- we met, partied and the movie just happened.

In the picture: Manish Gupta, Sushmita Sen and Drena De Niro

Listen to: Dance to Jai Ho!
Also See: The Karma Aur Holi song

Next