Nandana blocks the view
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 1, 2014)

 Rang Rasiya is finally ready for release after six years in the cans. But the struggle is not over for the film's director-producer Ketan Mehta as the film's planned publicity has hit a road block.

The film, starring Randeep Hooda and Nandana Sen, features several bold scenes and the actress had obtained a NOC (No Objectification Certificate) from Mehta stating that he will not release new film stills featuring her, without her consent.

The actress has since married publishing giant John Makinson, moved to New York and lost touch with Mehta.

Now, the film, which recreates the romance of 19th century Indian painter Raja Ravi Varma and his muse Sugandha Bai, is scheduled to hit the theatres this Diwali and the makers are in a fix. They don't have any new publicity material and have no choice other than to wait for Nandana's arrival in Mumbai.

A source close to the development told Mirror, "It is a smart move from Nandana. She must have realised that Ketan could go all out to sensationalise the film."

A few years ago, when Mehta had completed the film, Nandana was not as worried. She had then said, "Nudity can be depicted in two ways. When you present a women's body as an object, then it's demeaning to a woman. The way a woman's body has been presented in Rang Rasiya celebrates the power of women." Obviously, she has since changed her mind.

When contacted, the film's presenter Jayantilal Gada, who came on board last week, confirming the story, said, "Yes, Nandana did get a NOC. We will have to wait for her to return and filter the publicity material with her consent."