Filmmaker Anurag Basu debuts as actor with Onir''s I am''

Mumbai, Feb 6 (PTI) Director Onir''s I am'', acompilation of four different stories highlighting socialissues, will see filmmaker Anurag Basu''s full-fledged actingdebut.

The story, that takes a closer look at the novelconcept of sperm donation, will have Basu play a Bengalidoctor. When it came to convincing Basu for the role, Onir wasnot willing to take no for an answer.

Said a source, "Onir met Basu over coffee as both werea part of the Filmfare jury. Anurag realised he had forgottenhis wallet and Onir stepped in to pay the bill which was ahumble Rs 500. Onir realised that Anurag fitted the bill ofthe Bengali doctor he was looking for."

Onir immediately gave Anurag his signing amount andtold him that he was acting in his new movie. Basu initiallythought it was a joke, but after hearing the entire project hepromptly agreed to do the film, the source said.

Basu features in the story I am Afia'' with actorsNandita Das and Purab Kohli. I am Megha'' is a story about aHindu girl, Juhi Chawla, and her Muslim friend played byManisha Koirala.

I am Omar'' deals with homosexuality and I amAbhimanyu'' with child abuse.