Taj Mahal now a celluloid dream
ANI TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2002 03:20:45 AM ]
JODHPUR: Writer-director-producer Akbar Khan’s colossal historical Taj Mahal - An Eternal Love Story, finally has a lead pair.
While shooting on location at the Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur, Akbar Khan finally disclosed the lead pair for his film. The role of Shah Jahan would be played by newcomer Zulfi Sayed while the role of Mumtaz Mahal, turned down by Aishwarya Rai earlier, will finally be played by Sonyajahan, granddaughter of the famous actress of yesteryears, Noorjahan.
The film is set in the eternally famed era of Indian history and revolves around the universal theme of love; the undying romance of the great Emperor Shajahan and his Empress Mumtaz Mahal. “I would like to recreate the era of making historical films which bring back the great ethos and culture and magnificent heroes of our country, back on the golden screen as it was done once upon a time. Great films like Mughal-e-Azam, Taj Mahal and Pukaar still remain fresh in the minds of the people. Taj Mahal to me is not merely a film, it’s my commitment, my conviction, it’s my life, my present and my future”, said Akbar Khan.
He further added, “This film besides having a great historical element in it is going to have a fantastic drama. The intensity of love that has never been seen on the screen, the intensity of what those speaking stones of the Taj Mahal say of those immortal lovers, Shah Jahan and Mumtaj Mahal, when we walk in, the stones sing the songs of their love. So it is with this desire that I have ventured out to make this project where I give my sweat and blood, to make it into a dream project for the entire world of cinema to see”.
The film has been designed to cater to the Indian as well as International audiences. Other than exquisite sets and props and breath-taking drama, the film will also boast of elaborate and beautiful costumes made especially for the film by famous Bollywood designer Anna Singh.
While speaking to reporters, Anna Singh said, “A lot of research on the period 1612 to 1700 I got from the director Akbar. Because he is like a friend, a historian on the subject and 50 per cent of the research was done by him. It’s a very interesting period and I think after having finished a film like this, I would be an expert in fashions of the Mughal period.”
Making the costumes even more enigmatic and compelling is the cast. The dashing Kabir Bedi plays the aging Emperor Shah Jahan, Manisha Koirala plays his daughter princess Jahan Ara, Arbaaz Ali plays the just King Jahangir, Pooja Batra plays the scheming Queen Noorjahan, Kim Sharma plays the bubbly Laadli Begum and Arbaaz Khan plays the strong headed Prince Aurangzeb.
Pooja Batra, who plays the role of Noorjahan said that this was a role to die for and this was indeed one of the best roles she has ever been offered and hoped that she could do justice to it. She said, “I want to tell the people that we have tried to portray the era in the best possible way and I hope and pray that you appreciate our efforts and the film and make sure our efforts are worth being here for”.
Akbar has also brought in a stylish team of special-effects experts to specially picturise Emperor Shahjahn’s final journey to heaven in the most creative manner.
Kabir Bedi said, “If this film meets its potential this couldn’t just be a film for India. It could be a film of the world”.
While a 400-member strong unit is working relentlessly round the clock on intricate palatial sets for the film at the shooting location - the Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur - Akbar is busy picturising some dramatic scenes on all the actors and actresses.
