Meena Kumari biopic ‘Kamal Aur Meena’: Director says script complete and based on 2,000 handwritten letters and diary entries
Director Siddharth P Malhotra has revealed that the screenplay for Meena Kumari’s much-awaited biopic, said to be titled ‘Kamal Aur Meena’, has now been completed, and its foundation is unlike anything seen before in Indian biopic cinema, and is entirely inspired by personal letters and diary entries left behind by the legendary actress herself.
Meena Kumari’s own words are at the heart of the text
Speaking to Mid-Day, Siddharth P Malhotra revealed that the script was built from an extraordinary archive of correspondence between Meena Kumari and her husband, director Kamal Amrohi. “Fortunately, we have love letters and handwritten diaries. So, our film is based on their 2,000 letters and diaries. In a way, they told us what to write, in their own words,” he said.The film is set to explore the complex and tragic relationship between Kumari and Amrohi, with a major focus on their 1972 blockbuster film ‘Pakeeza’.
The screenplay has been written by popular writers Bhavani Iyer and Kausar Munir.
Casting is still ongoing
With the script locked in, production is now focusing on assembling the cast. “We have finished writing the script and are working on casting. We hope to start the project by the end of the year,” Malhotra confirmed.Speculations have been rife as to who will portray Meena Kumari on screen, with Kiara Advani’s name cropping up frequently in reports. However, the manager was clear that nothing had been completed.
“Until it’s not locked, it’s not locked. It is [how] Work is. It’s not just the actor; It’s the total cost of the thing [that is a determinant]He said.
Another biopic of Meena Kumari has been shelved
‘Kamal Aur Meena’ is not the only biopic announced on the legendary actor. Fashion designer-turned-producer Manish Malhotra also announced a biopic on Meena Kumari with Kriti Sanon in the lead role. This project was later postponed.
About the director’s next release
Siddharth P Malhotra’s next release is Ikka, a film starring Sunny Deol and Akshaye Khanna, which is scheduled to stream on Netflix from July 10.
