Mumbai, Jan 17 (IANS) Director Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury is looking forward to the release of the Hindi version of his debut Bengali film 'Anuranan' this Friday. He says it is more authentic than the Bengali version.

'Although 'Anuranan' is a culture-specific film, the theme is universal. And why should anyone have any objection to a Bengali film getting a national market? I think the only other Bengali film to have made this transition is Rituparno Ghosh's 'Chokher Bali',' Roy told IANS.

The film narrates the story of two couples - each with its own struggles to survive as a couple and as individuals.

Rahul Bose and Rituparna Sengupta play a couple that moves back to Kolkata after living in London for a few years. Here they meet Rajat Kapoor and Raima Sen and they become friends. It is the lives of these four friends that create a resonance, a chord that echoes through their present and future.

But wasn't the Bengali version released a year ago? Even the DVD is out.

'Yes it was,' admits the director. 'But the theatrical and DVD releases were only in Bengali. The dubbing into Hindi was done with my active participation. In fact, linguistically I'd say the Hindi version is more authentic than Bengali.

'In Bengali, Rajat Kapoor's voice was dubbed by another artiste. In Hindi, all the four major artistes - Rahul, Raima, Rituparna and Rajat - have dubbed their lines personally. So I'd say I welcome this chance to take my film to a larger audience.'