Painter M F Husain, who is ready to release his next film will by the end of this year, says he is desperate to return to India but it will take some more time.

Ninety four-year-old Husain -- who has earlier made three films -- 'Through the Eyes of a Painter' (1967), 'Gaja Gamini' (with his muse Madhuri Dixit in the lead) and 'Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities' (with Tabu) - said that the film, a comedy, was yet to be titled.

The renowned painter was at the Nehru Centre on Wednesday evening to participate in a discussion titled Cinema: Art in Motion, M F Husain in Conversation with Behroze Gandhy.

Husain, who now lives in Dubai and London said, "I am dreaming all the time to return to India. I never said I will not go back. I need a little more time. There is no ban on my return. The Supreme Court has cleared the case. I can go back anytime," he added.

In his conversation with Ms Behroze Gandhy, Husain was all praise for popular Bollywood cinemas.

"Bollywood has evolved its own unique style and in India cricket and cinema entertain millions of people," he said.

Pandharpur-born Husain said right from beginning he wanted to make films, but had to wait for over 50 years owing to lack of finances.

He said he would not have produced Gaja Gamini if Madhuri Dixit had not agreed to do the lead role.

"It took me three years to get Madhuri," he said, adding her body language in the film was extraordinary. He said that starting his career as a Bill Board painter had helped him to survive during his initial days in Mumbai.

"It was necessary because I went to Bombay penniless. For 7 years, from the age of 11, I was painting Bill Boards for my livelihood. Though simultaneously I was painting, for 18 years I never exhibited those paintings. I exhibited those paintings after independence."

His first film, Through the Eyes of a Painter, won a Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival.

Painter's autobiography is being made into a movie tentatively titled "The Making of the Painter", starring Shreyas Talpade as the young Husain.

Organisations like Hindu Jagruti Samiti and VHP had protested against Husain displaying painting of nude Hindu goddess. Husain had apologised and withdrawn those paintings from auction.

S P Hinduja, Chairman of the Hinduja Group of Industries, an art lover, said Husain is known for his "creativity and innovation." He said at the launch of the Hinduja Bank in Switzerland, Husain produced some of the outstanding paintings promoting multi-religions.