Costume designer Manish Malhotra, in a new interview, confirmed that he is working on a biopic on late Meena Kumari. He also shared that the film is currently in scripting stage.
Amid all the speculations and controversies surrounding Manish Malhotra’s biopic on legendary actress Meena Kumari with Kriti Sanon, the ace fashion designer in a new interview, confirmed that he is working on the film and added that it’s currently in the scripting stage.
While speaking with Film Companion, Manish revealed, “I don’t know it (the news) got out but it’s happening. We are still working on the script. The script is the key always. I have been reading her books. The film is based on a book. I have always been fascinated by Meena Kumari.”
Explaining the reason behind his fascination with Meena Kumari, he recalled Rekha once telling him that he would understand the genius of Meena Kumari once he turns 40.
Manish shared, “After I turned 40, I not only understood the genius of Meena Kumari but even Nargisji, Dilip Kumar Saab and Guru Dutt. I was a big Raj Kapoor fan…and more so with time, age and watching their films. In fact, during the lockdown, I watched all of Mr Bachchan’s films. I was always very fascinated with the costumes so whether it’s Rekhaji, Shabanaji , Neetuji, Hemaji, Zeenatji…all their clothes and songs. But, I think I realised and I started watching that cinema and understanding it so much better.”
The costume designer further went on to talk about how he is awe of Meena Kumari’s expressions.
“The subtle expressions, her eyes, the way she kind of uses her eyes, the adaa, how she holds her pallu. Just her eye moment.” Citing example of the iconic ‘Ajeeb Dastaan’ song in Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai in which the actress is sitting in a boat in a white saree, he continued, “It’s just her eyes, the shrug of her shoulder. I think I have watched her songs and some of her movies I don’t know how many times. I think she is just incredible. It’s exciting.”
Meena Kumari, popularly dubbed as Bollywood’s Tragedy Queen, made her acting debut as a child artist with Vijay Bhatt’s Farzande Vatan. Her first film as a full-fledged actress was Bachchon Ka Khel, but it was Vijay Bhatt’s musical Baiju Bawra which rose on to fame. Meena Kumari went on to act in films like Parineeti, Do Bigha Zameen, Foot Path, Azaad, Ek Hi Raasta, Bandhan, Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai, Saheb Biwi Aur Ghulam, Aarti, Pakeezah and many others.
