A biopic primarily based on her would additionally expose the darkish aspect of Hindi cinema and the way a fantastic actress was delivered to her knees by an unforgiving trade
By:
Japanese Eye
FASHION designer Manish Malhotra confirmed that he would make his directorial debut with a Meena Kumari biopic with Kriti Sanon within the lead position.
In the meantime, late filmmaker Kamal Amrohi’s son Tajdar Amrohi was reportedly threatening to sue as a result of he believes the rights to her story belong to him. That’s as a result of his dad was as soon as married to Kumari. There’s a lot to unpack right here.
Firstly, a biopic on the late actress would make for unimaginable cinema due to how a lot drama there was in her life. From being a toddler star to turning into arguably essentially the most technically gifted actress in Bollywood historical past to her alcoholism, abusive marriage, failed relationships and excessive profile liaisons, her story has all the pieces, together with an incredible physique of labor.
She additionally died penniless at simply 38 years of age and has change into a a lot liked icon since then.
A biopic primarily based on her would additionally expose the darkish aspect of Hindi cinema and the way a fantastic actress was delivered to her knees by an unforgiving trade, and finally pushed in the direction of a lethal ingesting behavior. The actress nicknamed ‘Tragedy Queen’ additionally encountered abusive males and endured the sort of actual life ache her onscreen characters grew to become well-known for. However taking a look at Bollywood biopics of celebrities which were made, none have actually delved deeply right into a darkish aspect and that doubtless wouldn’t occur along with her story.
Legendary tales of Kumari being ‘disciplined’ with violence whereas her husband watched, or males within the film trade stealing all her cash would unlikely make it into any story about her, which might make it much less impactful. Male celebrities she allegedly had affairs with would additionally doubtless be omitted from any story.
Telling her story would require a fantastic director, which designer Manish Malhotra positively isn’t. He hasn’t directed a film earlier than, so beginning with a difficult topic like this might be a recipe for catastrophe.
Kumari’s profession was outlined by phenomenal performances in films like Baiju Bawra, Dil Apna Preet Parai, Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam, Phool Aur Patthar and Pakeezah, so it will require a technically sensible actress to painting the onscreen brilliance, and behind the scenes ache. Though an completed performer, Kriti Sanon doesn’t actually have the vary or gravitas to tackle the position of such a beloved icon.
Talking of those that aren’t outfitted to make this film, then failed filmmaker Tajdar Amrohi actually falls into that class. Regardless of his many protestations, Meena Kumari was not biologically associated to him, and divorced his dad after a troublesome marriage. A serious a part of her story is the extensively reported abuse she suffered by the hands of her a lot older husband Kamal Amrohi. Tajdar would doubtless make a poor film and whitewash what his dad did to her. He has already stated any model Malhotra makes could be primarily based on lies.
All of this is the reason I’m not anticipating any of those individuals to make a film primarily based on Meena Kumari’s life. And in the event that they do it will doubtless be horrible or whitewashed. A movie primarily based on her would require a giant finances to seize the interval setting and I don’t assume any financier could be foolish sufficient to again a undertaking helmed by a designer or a failed filmmaker.
An illustration of why this undertaking received’t come to fruition, regardless that it ought to, is deliberate biopics of legends like Madhubala and Guru Dutt not seeing the sunshine of day. Bollywood has wealthy tales in its historical past however doesn’t actually have the expertise in the present day to carry them to life.
