Meghna Gulzar opens up about her upcoming film, Talvar and is happy to be back after eight years
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 12, 2015)


Rakesh Maria's abrupt transfer as Mumbai's police chief in the middle of the highprofile Sheena Bora murder investigation has fuelled speculations that Irrfan Khan's character in Talvar, who is also shunted out in the middle of a case, is inspired by Maria, who has now been promoted to Commandant General of Home Guards, Maharashtra. Brushing this off, director Meghna Gulzar tells Mirror, "Irrfan Khan's character is not in any way close to that of Rakesh Maria. The only similarity could be the sudden ousting of an investigative officer from a case."

Meghna, who made her directorial debut with Filhaal in 2002, following up with Just Married: Marriage Was Only The Beginning! and a segment for Sanjay Gupta's Dus Kahaniyan, Puranmashi, five years later, took a sabbatical from filmmaking after that to raise her son, Samay. She's happy to be back with Talvar which opens on October 2.

"It's been a long time, but I didn't want to be a part-time mother to my son. I'm grateful to be given an opportunity to make a film like Talvar," says the director.

The film is based on the Aarushi murder case. Meghna herself had tweeted, "Talvar treads down a tricky blind alley. Here's our Patli Gali!" Given its controversial subject, was she ever in two minds about doing the film? "On the contrary I felt that this is a story which had to be told as there are so many unanswered questions still. And I am happy that we didn't trivialise or sensationalise the subject, but made it with utmost responsibility," she asserts.

Buzz is, the Talwars, Dr Rajesh and Nupur Talwar, who are currently in jail and the prime accused for the murder of their daughter Aarushi, want to see the film before it releases. "That's what I too was told at the press conference today. If they want to see the film, we will be happy to show it to them," she says.

Talvar which also features Tabu and Konkona Sen Sharma, will have its world premiere at the 40th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). "It's going to be a very special moment which I will cherish forever," she says.
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Sonali Joshi Pitale (MID-DAY; September 12, 2015)

With Meghna Gulzar’s upcoming whodunit based on the Aarushi Talwar murder case inching closer to release, lawyers of the slain teenager’s parents have requested the director to show them the film before it makes its way to the theatres. Aarushi’s doctor-parents, Rajesh and Nupur Talwar are currently in jail for the alleged murder of the 14-year-old and their domestic help Hemraj in 2008.

A source says, “Meghna’s film, Talvar, is based on the investigation of the case and her team has done thorough research in this regard. Aarushi’s parents feel that their lawyers should watch the film first to be sure that there is no misinterpretation or misrepresentation. The film focuses on three different point of views of investigation so, ideally, there should not be any issue.”

The film has already obtained a censor certificate with no major cuts, but since it deals with a sensitive issue, the Talwars’ lawyers insisted on watching the film “immediately” before it releases on October 2. “The movie has the Talwars as its central characters and so, their concern is justified. We have agreed to arrange a screening for them after it is showcased at the Toronto International Film Festival, which is currently underway. The lawyers are okay with it,” a source close to the project reveals.

Meghna confirms the story and the film’s spokesperson says, “Yes, we have received a letter from the lawyers to show them the film.”