After much speculation, celebrity designer Manish Malhotra has confirmed that he will be making a biopic based on the life of legendary Bollywood actor Meena Kumari. He admitted for the first time in an interview that he is working on the project and revealed that the film is at the scripting stage.
In an interview, when Manish was asked about the reports of him directing Meena Kumari’s biopic, he said, “I don’t know how it got out but it is happening. We are still working on the script. The script is key, always. I have been reading her books. The film is based on her books. I have always been fascinated by Meena Kumari.”
He also shared a heartwarming anecdote about how veteran actor Rekha inspired him to take up this project. “Rekha told me once that you know when you turn 40, you will understand the genius of Meena Kumari. And that is true. But I was young and I was busy working but when I turned 40 I not only understood the genius of Meena Kumari but even Nargis ji and Dilip Kumar and Guru Dutt. I started watching that cinema and understanding it so much better. I think Meena Kumari is phenomenal with her expressions, the way she uses her eyes and her adaa,” he said.
Before Manish’s confirmation, there were already reports circulating about him directing the Meena Kumari biopic. Tajdar Amrohi, the stepson of Meena Kumari and son of legendary filmmaker Kamal Amrohi, had reportedly expressed his discontent and even threatened legal action against Manish Malhotra and Kriti Sanon, who is being considered to play the late actress on the big screen.
Meena Kumari, known as The Tragedy Queen of Hindi cinema, fell gravely ill just three weeks after the release of her famous film ‘Pakeezah.’ She was admitted to St Elizabeth’s Nursing Home in March 1972 but her condition deteriorated rapidly. She passed away on March 31, 1972, at the age of 38.
