A PLYMOUTH film director is ready for action on his first full-length feature.

Experienced producer Bal Kumar plans to start filming next summer on Love Blurs Boundaries, "a cross-cultural Romeo and Juliet for the 21st century".

Several familiar faces are lined up to appear in the movie, which has substantial funding in place.

The 40-year-old from Huddersfield has based himself in Plymouth as he gets the project moving.

He said: "I came to Plymouth because I wanted to be focused on the creative process, away from distractions.

"The film has a £500,000 budget. We have about a quarter of the finance in place."

Bal's impressive track record includes three degrees in film-related subjects, including MAs from John Moores University Liverpool and Sheffield University.

He is currently working towards a PhD, through Leeds University, on the representation of minorities in cinema.

Bal has completed several short films, with writing and director credits. They include Mother's Journey about two migrants' move to Britain from India.

His work has attracted international attention and been shown at the London Film festival.

Bal has also been involved as a producer and co-producer on larger projects, Cuckoo (with Richard E Grant) and Hard Shoulder (starring Waking the Dead's Wil Johnson), experience which has helped with financing and casting Love Blurs Boundaries.

Among the acting talent committed to the feature is Johnson, who admits to being excited about the project.

"I think it's refreshing," he told The Herald. "I worked with Bal on Hard Shoulder a couple of years ago.

"I'm looking forward to Love Blurs Boundaries. A first-time director brings something new and fresh and they always have something to prove. It's a vibrant and different film.

"The British film industry lacks vibrancy and relevance."

Another established star, Kayvan Novak, is lined up to play the male lead, Jay. Novak, of Channel 4 prank show Fonejacker, has appeared with George Clooney in Syriana and won best film actor in the British Comedy Awards for his performance as Waj in Chris Morris's acclaimed Four Lions.

Tanveer Ghani and Kulvinder Ghir (both of Bend It Like Beckham) are also on board and Bal hopes to secure Lois Winstone (Holby City, The Bill), eldest daughter of Ray Winstone, to play the Juliet character, Shelly.

Bal said that the film's backers included a "figure from enterprise" who is a household name.

"Funding a film is ever easy," he added. "It is difficult with the economy like it is but not impossible. It depends on who you know.

"This will definitely go ahead."

Most of the filming is due to be done in London but Bal would love to do some in Plymouth if possible. "It is a beautiful place with beautiful locations," he said. While in the city he is teaching drama and performance to disabled adults.

Love Blurs Boundaries is scheduled to have a small theatrical release in London and then to be put out on DVD.

Bal's influences include British directors Ken Loach (Kes, The Wind That Shakes The Barley) and Shane Meadows (This Is England), who are both known for their realistic style. "I like film that reflects what I see in contemporary society, total honesty in the raw."

Although the cameras are yet to start rolling on Love Blurs Boundaries, Bal is already looking beyond the final credits. He said: "I have a list of about eight films which I want to make."