If a biopic were made on Hema Malini, who would be your pick to portray the Hindi film industry’s Dream Girl? Well, the veteran actor has her answer ready. At an event celebrating her 60-year career last week, Malini said that Deepika Padukone would be an apt choice to portray her in a biopic.

Talking to mid-day, the actor elaborated on her choice, saying, “Deepika is a pretty girl. I have seen her films. She comes across as someone who has dignity and beauty with poise.”

Malini’s story — her rise as one of the leading heroines of the 1970s and ’80s, her accomplishments as a Bharatanatyam dancer, and her love story with her late husband Dharmendra — serves as fascinating material for a retelling on the screen. If author and filmmaker Ram Kamal Mukherjee has his way, the biopic may be realized.

The writer, who penned Malini’s authorised biography, Beyond The Dream Girl, told mid-day, “While I was writing the book, I had casually mentioned about a biopic on her. She laughed and ignored the topic coyly. But it would be interesting to see Deepika playing the younger role of Hema ji, and Hema ji playing her age in the film. Having two most beautiful faces from Indian cinema would be a treat for the audience.”

In 2017, Padukone had launched Malini’s biography. Mukherjee recalled, “Deepika wrapped the dubbing for Padmaavat [2018] and accepted my invite to launch the biography. If Hema ji feels I am deserving, it would be an honour for me to direct her biopic.”

After films based on the life of Sushant Singh Rajput were announced, filmmakers feel that this comes across as capitalising on a tragedy
Juhi Chakraborty (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 22, 2020)

How soon is too soon to make a film on a tragedy? The sad demise of Sushant Singh Rajput has not only started a conversation about mental health but also kicked up a storm in Bollywood with many attributing his death to the hard time that outsiders have in the film industry. Now within days of his death, two films were announced which are inspired by the life of the late actor with one even starring TikTok star Sachin Tiwari, who had become a rage on social media for his uncanny resemblance to Rajput. This again has put forth the question of whether it’s all about milking an opportunity.

Filmmaker Hansal Mehta, who has directed real-life inspired films such as Shahid (2013), Aligarh (2015) and Omerta (2018), says ultimately it all depends on the intent behind the film. “When you make a film on a true story, it’s always about the intention of the filmmaker. If the intent is to let the world know of the actual story, then it’s a different thing, but if it is to capitalise on something that’s topical, that’s not ethical,” he explains.

Filmmaker Ananth Narayan Mahadevan feels that the timing of the announcements makes it seem that the makers just want to cash in. “Whatever they do will not be a truthful account because the investigation on Sushant’s death is still going on. Filmmakers have a habit of exploiting current topics. We saw how so many films were announced after the 26/11 attacks to an extent that a certain filmmaker even visited the location just a few days after the tragedy struck,” he says.

Calling it ‘not’ a legit move, director Anurag Basu feels that a film, even if it says is inspired by Rajput’s life, is way too suggestive. “Since his death, everybody has been gossiping. So, this is an extension of that. We can’t say what the film is about, as nobody knows Sushant’s story other than his near ones,” Basu opines.

In such a scenario, the consent of the family of the person is paramount otherwise, it becomes illegal, feels filmmaker Ram Kamal Mukherjee. “As far as the sensitivity of the subject is concerned, by speculating on whether he was killed or was it a suicide, basically you’re harping on sensationalism. Lot of people tried to do that after the death of Sridevi and Divya Bharti, too,” points the director.

Meanwhile, filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri refused to even dignify the project with a response as “this film will never even be made. It looks shady”.

However, Vijay Shekhar Gupta, the producer of the film, titled Suicide or Murder: A Star Was Lost, disagrees that it’s going to be an exploitation of someone’s tragic death.

“If I wanted to cash in on a popular subject for fame, I’d have made a film on Shaheen Bagh or the Anti-CAA protests. This is a comment on the film industry and how it treats outsiders. First we saw Jiah Khan and now Sushant. I want to show the world the dark side of the Hindi film industry and how it functions,” he says
------------------------
Too soon to make a film on Galwan valley?

Just after 20 days after the Galwan Valley clash that left 20 Indian soldiers dead, actor-producer Ajay Devgn announced that he’s all set to make a film on the incident. After the announcement, many questioned whether it was just about cashing in on the tragedy.

Celina Jaitly and Shree Ghatak, Bollywood's first transgender actor, on why their new film is going to be a game changer
Aastha Atray Banan (MID-DAY; September 22, 2019)

"I don't think about my gender anymore. There was a time when I was trapped, but now I am free," says Shree Ghatak (Muhury), who has become Bollywood's first transgender actor after bagging a role as Chapala in Ram Kamal Mukherjee's Season's Greetings. The movie, which is slated for an October release, also stars Celina Jaitly and Lillette Dubey, and tells the story about a mother and daughter. It is dedicated to auteur Rituparno Ghosh, who made films like Titli, Dahan, Chokher Bali, Raincoat and Antarmahal, and will give a glimpse of all his major works, ideology and passion for music.

When Ghatak got this role, she was hesitant about taking it up, because she didn't want to play another stereotype. She runs the Troyee Foundation, which works for poor women, street children and the LGBTQi community. In 2017, she married her childhood friend Sanjay Muhury, paving the way for many couples like them. "I always wanted myself to be counted among other common people. I never wanted to be pigeon-holed into any category. My soul had always been of a girl, so I didn't think of myself as transgender. Then, I got married, and my husband told me that I should embrace the fact that I am an inspiration. Most transgenders get accepted as prostitutes and beggars, but my journey shows them the light."

Ghatak found a friend in Jaitly, who makes a comeback with Season's Greetings, and has always been a staunch supporter of LGBTQi rights. She was the ambassador of the Kashish Film Festival from its inception till 2016, has worked closely with NGOs like the Humsafar Trust, and has often rued the fact that not many actors support the cause. "When Ram wanted to cast Chapala, no one was willing to play a transgender, and we were all frustrated. His decision to cast Ghatak is groundbreaking. She will open the gates for many aspiring trans actors."

Ghatak adds, "I adore Celina for standing by the cause and making me feel comfortable at the shoot." Jaitly hopes that the storyline inspires conversations among people, specifically in "our newly liberated democratic rainbow society", where queer women definitely need their stories to be given their due.

"The movie focuses on the need for in-depth understanding of what being a woman from the LGBTQi community truly means in a country like India. In a subtle way, it encourages both legal reforms and public education to counter homophobia and transphobia. I am convinced that the best way to have this difficult conversation is through a medium most relatable to people, and that for me is cinema," she says. Of her own character, Romita, she says many people will identify with her, and will know that they have to have "uncomfortable" conversations at home, and beyond. "I have been involved with the LGBTQi cause for 18 years, so I needed to do this movie. I also recently lost my mom, and the experience that I shared with Lilette who played my mother, was emotional. I just hope that our film, like all others by Rituparno da, connects with people."

Ask Ghatak, who is going to be setting yet another example with this film, what she wants people to take away from the film, and she simply says, "People should know that there are many shades inside all of us, and we need to accept all of them."

A Tribute to Rituparno Ghosh: Season's Greetings, will be unveiled on August 31 on the occasion of Rituparno Ghosh's 56th birth anniversary
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; August 29, 2019)

The first look of Ram Kamal Mukherjee's film, A Tribute to Rituparno Ghosh: Season's Greetings, will be unveiled on August 31 on the occasion of Rituparno Ghosh's 56th birth anniversary. Amitabh Bachchan — who had worked with the auteur in The Last Lear (2007) — has not only agreed to unveil the film's poster, but has also recorded a special video message remembering the gifted filmmaker.

The megastar can be seen praising the late filmmaker as he says, "His thought process was so clear that he only chose films that he wished to make. [To see him] edit The Last Lear and bring it to the audience was certainly a great joy. We lost him too early."

Season's Greetings, which stars Celina Jaitly Haag, is India's first feature film to collaborate with United Nations Free and Equal project. Mukherjee says, "I approached Amit ji because he has worked with Rituda in The Last Lear, while Abhishek Bachchan worked in Antarmahal [2005], and Jaya ji in Sunglass [2013]. Who better than the icon to unveil a film that pays tribute to the legend?"

Ram Kamal Mukherjee on his next film which has been endorsed by the United Nations’ Free and Equal campaign
Ankita Chaurasia (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 8, 2019)

A Tribute To Rituparno Ghosh: Season’s Greetings has become the first film to be endorsed by United Nations’ Free and Equal campaign that aims at raising awareness against homophobic and transphobic violence and discrimination. It will be screened across the world. UN official Rikke Hennum says, “We know from experience that films like this can play a critical role in starting and sustaining conversations to help raise awareness of some of the issues the film touches upon—from acceptance of same sex relationships, to the lives of LGBTQIA people in India.”

Director Ram Kamal Mukherjee, who started out with the intention of acquainting mainstream audiences with Rituparno’s work, reveals that issues faced by the LGBTQIA community became a part of his film organically. “Just before we began shooting, the Supreme Court abolished Section 377 on September 6. Since Rituparno was always vocal about the community’s rights, it made sense to incorporate it. In the film, September 5 is an important date,” he informs.

He took the film to the UN on his leading ladies, Celina Jaitly and Lillete Dubey’s insistence. “I was not sure about it because I felt it would be difficult for them to relate to, since the film is set in India. But I have been proved wrong,” says Ram. Celina, who has been an active supporter of LGBTQIA rights, shares, “Changing attitudes is never easy but it has happened on other issues and it is happening already in many parts of the world on this one. With the UN coming on board as a social partner, we are hoping this film will strike a chord globally.”

The film also marks the debut of transgender actor Shree Ghatak. Quiz Ram if it was a conscious choice and he says, “I wanted an established actor but everyone was skeptical about playing a transgender. Celina and Lillete voiced concerns over taking a non-actor for the role but it was a risk we took and I am happy with the result.”

Upala KBR (MID-DAY; October 25,  2018)

An upcoming venture that pays tribute to Rituparno Ghosh will mark Celina Jaitley’s return to cinema after seven years. Ram Kamal Mukherjee’s offering is particularly special for the actor, given that, like the openly-gay filmmaker, Jaitley too is an active proponent of the LGBTQ community.

“I am happy to be part of Ram Kamal’s film, A Tribute To Rituparno Ghosh: Season’s Greetings, because when he narrated the story to me in Dubai, I got goose bumps. Post marriage, and becoming a mother, I was looking for a subject that would excite me. Since I have been associated with the LGTBQIA movement since 18 years, I [am happy to] act in a film that deals with the issue,” Jaitley tells mid-day.

Mukherjee reveals that while his film is a tribute to Ghosh, it will not be a biopic. “It’s a tribute to his cinema sensibility. It honours his body of work.” Based on a mother-daughter relationship, the film pairs Jaitley with veteran actor Lillete Dubey, who plays the role of her mother. The Aritra Das and Shailendra Kumar production also star débutante actor Azhar Khan.

A short work trip to Egypt first introduced Jaitley to Mukherjee’s work. “He made a short musical on moods and moments, and always had perfect ideas for lighting and compositions of frames. I will shoot in Kolkata for the first time, and I’m excited about it.”

Jaitley’s association with people who have distinct sexual preferences began early on. “My first boyfriend was gay. I was 16 when I realised that he has a different sexual preference. He died of bulimia-induced stroke. My first makeup artist was a trans-gender, and treated me like a daughter. He died in a road mishap. That’s when I decided that I would fight for their causes.”

Upala KBR (MID-DAY; April 2, 2018)

Mid-Day had previously reported that Esha Deol Takhtani was set to return to Bollywood after seven years with the short film, Cakewalk. In the while that she was away from the limelight, Deol tied the knot, and subsequently gave birth to baby girl Radhya. However, the actor has now turned her focus to cinema, and currently wrapped up the Kolkata leg of Ram Kamal Mukherjee’s directorial debut.

Deol, who previously revealed that she was eager to film in the city of “Dakhineshwari Kali Ma”, was spotted across various locations in Kolkata, shooting with Mukherjee and co-director Abhra Chakraborty. Set to play a chef in the venture, the actor tells mid-day, “The film has primarily been shot in real locations because we wanted to make it look as authentic as possible. I love the literature and music that makes itself evident in every part of the city. I have read English adaptations of works of Bengali novelists Rabindranath Tagore and Sarat Chandra Chatterjee, which made this visit more exciting. Also, the people of this city love food, so, playing the role of a chef while filming here was a delight.”

A source from the unit tells mid-day, “Esha enjoyed rides in a yellow Ambassador taxi and auto rickshaw as part of the shoot at New Town in Kolkata on Saturday. Since she is dieting, she couldn’t sample the local cuisine. But she indulged in mishti doi. Interestingly, she wanted to taste the kulhar wali chai that’s famous in West Bengal. It is served in small clay pots called bhaars. A local tea stall owner recognised Esha and was happy to offer her ginger tea for free.”

Deol reveals that the vendor was, in fact, an admirer of her father, Dharmendra. “He mentioned that he was a fan of my father, who worked with many talented Bengali actors and directors. Offering tea to me was a sweet gesture. The city is full of life. The schedule was too tight to accommodate a visit to the Kali Temple, but Ram Kamal assured me that when I return for the show’s premiere, he will make arrangement for the darshan.”

Upala KBR (MID-DAY; March 13, 2018)

After her marriage to Bharat Takhtani, and motherhood, Esha Deol Takhtani is ready to return to her other love — movies. The actor will make her comeback after seven years with a short film, Cakewalk. Helmed by debutant Ram Kamal Mukherjee, the film will see Deol slip into the role of a chef.

Deol says she chose the film for its “strong message”. “Cakewalk is a subject that intrigued me purely on the basis of its content. It has a strong message, but one that is subtly conveyed in the narrative. When Ram Kamal narrated the story to me, I knew he would be the best person to tell it visually.”

A former journalist, Mukherjee previously worked with Pritish and Rangita Nandy on 12 movies, and co- produced the television series, Bin Kuch Kahe, last year. About making his debut as director, Mukherjee says, “I always wanted to tell a story, but I was waiting for the right opportunity. I wanted to work with someone who has faith in my vision.”

For her chef act, Deol will pick up tips from a chef friend before the film goes on floors in Kolkata. “Considering my best friend Shilarna Vaze is a celebrated chef, I will be speaking to her before we shoot.”

While she is happy to face the cameras once again, Deol is in no rush to sign movies because she is enjoying motherhood. “Radhya [her daughter] is my first priority. She is my little fairy; I cannot describe our bond,” she says, adding that she agreed to be part of this film because it wouldn’t keep her away from Radhya for long.

Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 24, 2017)

DNA (April 30, 2014)