Mrs Falani will remain a special project to Swara Bhasker for two reasons. First off, the anthology sees her play eight distinct roles, a rare opportunity for an actor. More importantly, it was during its shoot in March that she tied the knot with politician Fahad Ahmad.

Asked how married life is treating her, Bhasker quips, “I couldn’t cook before marriage, and I still cannot. I am the same person, it’s just that I am in a safe and comfortable place. There’s another person to think of in every small decision. One is no longer a solo rider.”

Directed by Manish Kishore and Madhukar Verma, Mrs Falani sees Bhasker play eight homemakers, each character depicting a distinct facet of women’s aspirations. Though it was originally envisioned as an anthology of nine stories, Kishore says they cut it down to eight. “We realized that each [story] was running longer than the 15-minute screen time we had originally allotted,” he states.

The director adds that his leading lady did not take a break after her March wedding, thus ensuring that the shoot went on as scheduled. “Swara had informed us in advance about her wedding. We shot the film in February and early March. We had lined up patchwork shoot in April. After her wedding receptions in Delhi and Bareilly, she returned to Mumbai to resume the shoot. I was surprised, as I assumed she’d go for her honeymoon.”

With the actor currently dubbing for the project, Kishore says that they are readying it for a direct-to-web release. “Soon, we’ll approach digital platforms. We are not pursuing a theatrical release because eight different, unrelated stories may not [translate] well on the big screen.”

The year began on an exciting note for Swara Bhasker, who kicked off the shoot of Mrs Falani in January. She holds Manish Kishore and Madhukar Verma’s directorial offering close to her heart, as it offers her the rare opportunity of playing nine characters.

Now, we hear that one of her avatars in the anthology is inspired by the vintage looks flaunted by ’60s actors Sadhana, and Asha Parekh. Bhasker will be seen sporting a fringe, which had become synonymous with the late Sadhana in her heydays.

Acknowledging that she turned to the yesteryear actors for inspiration when styling her look, Bhasker adds, “Mrs Falani is the most challenging film of my life. Undoubtedly, it is every actor’s dream to play so many different characters in one movie.”

Her characters — varying from the ages of 30 to 42 — will be seen hailing from nine states, including Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Punjab. Each story will revolve around a home-maker, thus exploring a different facet of women’s suppressed aspirations.

Being a part of the film has been an eye-opener for the actor, who says, “I am amazed to [see] the intricacies that change from one home-maker to another every 10 miles.”

Many will tell you that the biggest joy of being an actor is being able to experience myriad lives through the different characters they play. Imagine Swara Bhasker’s joy then as the anthology, Mrs Falani, came her way. The film, to be directed by Manish Kishore and Madhukar Verma, is a compilation of nine short stories that sees the actor essay a distinct character in each.

For Bhasker, it is a matter of pride and happiness. “I never imagined that I would work in a film where I would essay nine interesting characters. I am sure people will love each of my parts,” she beams. Doing multiple roles is a rare feat in Hindi cinema. The late Sanjeev Kumar had famously played nine characters in Naya Din Nai Raat (1974), while Priyanka Chopra essayed 12 roles in the 2009 offering, What’s Your Rashee?

Through the short stories, the director duo aim to focus on women’s aspirations that often remain unfulfilled. “The movie is not about social issues; we are not talking about dowry or domestic violence. Instead, we are focusing on women’s struggles to fulfil their suppressed dreams. For instance, one story revolves around a woman who doesn’t have a bathroom, and how it impacts her when she sees an ad where another woman is enjoying the comforts of a luxurious bathroom,” says Kishore.

Another story revolves around a small-town college girl who hopes to buy a blouse similar to what Jaya Prada wears in a hit song.

Kishore adds, “It’s about women realizing their dreams because they have a right to them. Initially, we thought of taking nine different actresses. But while writing it, we could only think of Swara in each story.”

While the short stories have been written by Shweta Ruby, Kishore and Verma have developed the screenplay. Kishore — who previously wrote Sharman Joshi-starrer Kaashi: In Search Of Ganga (2018) — intends to take the film on floors by October. It will be shot across Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. “Swara will have to look different in each role. The team is working on her distinct looks.”