It wouldn’t be wrong to say that the ’70s cinema was the polar opposite of today’s offerings, their slice-of-life stories in stark contrast to our current trend of larger-than-life movies. And who captured the joys and anguish of everyday life on screen better than the late Hrishikesh Mukherjee, and Gulzar?

In an attempt to remind viewers of the charm of human dramas, Mrs Undercover director Anushree Mehta and her business partner Abir Sengupta are revisiting the noted filmmakers’ classics—Mukherjee’s Bawarchi (1972) and Mili (1975), and Gulzar’s Koshish (1972).

The duo are teaming up with producer Sameer Raj Sippy, grandson of late producer N C Sippy, who had originally backed the three gems. Mehta says the decision to adapt the classics came from a personal space.

“It is a huge responsibility as Koshish, Bawarchi and Mili are celebrated in India and across the globe. Gulzar saab and Hrishi-da set the standards of filmmaking for generations to come,” she shares. To Sengupta, the remakes are a way of introducing the new generation to the magic of the past.

He says, “These are the films we have grown up on and that the new generation should also witness, to know our rich cinematic legacy.”

The three adaptations are currently in the development stage. Once the scripts are locked, the makers will finalize the cast and the directors. With the remakes, Sippy says the idea is to retain the essence of the original stories while viewing them through a contemporary gaze. “We want to take the stories and bring them in today’s scenario, with a modern outlook.”

Eighteen years and several powerful films later, Radhika Apte would love to choose the cream of the crop. But good scripts, she rues, are hard to come by. “I say no [to scripts] all the time. In the last three years, I have said no so much that it’s scaring me. I don’t wholeheartedly love the scripts of even the films I do. I am being very honest,” begins the actor, who had a release over the weekend in Mrs Undercover.

She notes that writers have better ideas than scripts to offer. “People don’t spend time writing. One reason is that writers are paid badly. Now, it’s getting much better, but [we have a long way to go]. People have incredible ideas, but scripts require work and they aren’t ready to put in that much work.”

Apte says that she gave her nod to Mrs Undercover on the basis of its idea. The ZEE5 spy comedy, helmed by Anushree Mehta, tells the story of a homemaker doubling up as an undercover agent. “I said yes on the basis of the narration because I liked the idea. We have grown up observing so many women, who are either homemakers or career women, but they also have to take care of the house more than their partners. It’s a thankless job.”

Over the years, the actor has built a strong body of work, comprising Badlapur (2015), Sacred Games (2018), Andhadhun (2018), and Monica O My Darling (2022). While turning down projects sometimes unsettles her, she is clear about how she wants to build her career further.

“Now that I have a little bit of authority, I put my foot down [about things]. For instance, PRs want you to do things that are selling. Now, I feel more confident about saying that I won’t do this. [In films too], I have become more selective. In a year, I try to do [a piece of] work that I absolutely love, work that will pay my bills, and then something that will get me mainstream recognition.”

You often tell your most personal story with your first film. Anushree Mehta will agree, as she gears up for the release of her directorial debut, Mrs Undercover. The spy comedy, led by Radhika Apte, tells the story of a home-maker, who doubles up as an undercover agent.

“It’s a dedication to my mom and every home-maker who is undermined. Being a home-maker is such a thankless job,” begins Mehta, who has also penned and produced the ZEE5 film.

Unlike most women-led offerings that are set in a serious space, Mrs Undercover sees the director put forth her love for action and comedy. She lucked out with Apte, who immediately saw potential in the world she was trying to create.

“It makes no sense to tell the story in a morose way. I am a fan of masala Hindi movies; I whistle and clap while watching a film in the theatre. So, I want to be that filmmaker [who can] entertainingly deliver a message.”

In Hindi movies, the action genre has been largely male-dominated. However, with Deepika Padukone and Katrina Kaif standing shoulder-to-shoulder with their male co-stars in action blockbusters, Mehta is glad to see the tide turning. She says, “It’s way too late for us to realize that women protagonists can headline action and comedy movies. Some change is needed with generations. As filmmakers, we have a responsibility [to initiate change]. When Katrina and Deepika do action on the big screen, it pushes the envelope. When I was making the movie, I’d often be asked by my friends or neighbours, ‘Who is the hero?’ When I used to say Radhika Apte, they would still ask: ‘But who is the hero?’ A hero is your protagonist, irrespective of the gender.”

There is no place for run-of-the-mill offerings in Radhika Apte’s filmography. The actor, Netflix India’s original poster girl, is drawn towards unusual stories. So, when she stars as the female lead in Vikram Vedha, one of the year’s big-ticket massy projects, it comes across as almost a deviation. When we get on a call with Apte, we begin by understanding the kind of projects she is gravitating towards in this phase of her career. “I have four films this year — Forensic, Vikram Vedha, Mrs Undercover and Monica O My Darling,” she starts.

So, is she balancing offbeat cinema with a mainstream film or two? There is no formula, Apte insists. “The makers, script and characters are important when you give your nod to a project. As an artiste, I want to be challenged, discover new people and new emotions. But above all else, the priority is to seek what’s inspiring. The pandemic has given me a [new] perspective. I felt that I was just a part of the rat race. I did things because they had to be [done], [thinking] these are my [prime] years as an actor. But now, I want to do what makes me happy. I want to learn, and I am gravitating towards parts I have never done before.”  

That explains her choosing Vikram Vedha — a mainstream film with cerebral tonality. The Hrithik Roshan and Saif Ali Khan starrer, adapted from the 2017 Tamil hit of the same name, questions our perspective of right and wrong. She is ecstatic to reunite with Khan after Baazaar (2018) and Sacred Games (2019). “He is hilarious and well-read. Chatting with him is such a delight.”

She will kick off the next schedule in February. Getting into the skin of the character again, after the unforeseen break, might be a tad difficult. “My major portions have yet to be shot. I am looking forward to doing readings with my co-stars and directors to fall right back into the character’s mould.”