You have made films in America and Brazil. Would you like to make another documentary in India?

Certainly. I am also interested in working with Indian documentary-makers and give their films exposure in the West.

Tell us about bringing Pinki to Hollywood for the Oscar ceremony.

It was not an easy decision to make. We wondered if it was alright for this child, who still lives in a poor condition in a village, to be brought into the glittering world of Hollywood.

We debated over this for many days and finally decided to bring her along with her father and Dr Singh. We [the producers and the film team] said, why should we deny her this opportunity, something good may come out it, and her presence could give good publicity for other children worldwide to get help.

How did you prepare Pinky for her American sojourn?

Dr Singh and our small team in India took care of it. She had hardly travelled even in India, except travel a few hours to be in Banaras. Our team took her along with her father to New Delhi and she saw a big city for the first time.

What was her reaction on the red carpet?

We had a press conference in New York before she arrived in Los Angeles. So she had seen a bit of America before coming to Hollywood.

Was she at home on the red carpet?

We were on the red carpet for about 45 minutes. There were reporters and cameras. Many people wanted to interview us, and many did not want to. I thought it was amazing that Pinki was not overwhelmed. All the time we were on the red carpet, she was looking at a blimp!

What was her father's reaction?

He said everything was beautiful but there was too much of noise. He longed to go back to his village and be with his family.

And Pinky?

She also wanted to be back with her friends, siblings and mother. One evening we were walking by a row of beautiful bungalows in Hollywood. Dr Singh asked her if she would like to live in one of house houses some day. She told him, 'No, I want to live in the new house we are building in our village.'