Manish Malhotra confirms directing Meena Kumari biopic: ‘We are working on the script’

Manish 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 Meena Kumari on the big screen.

In response to these reports, Tajdar Amrohi expressed his strong disapproval and told Bollywood Bubble that he spoke to his lawyer and decided to not take any legal action yet as the film has not been started yet. He said, “Even big production houses like to be in news. So, my lawyer told me that in case they decide to shelve the project in future, it would come across as I am publicity hungry. I am making enemies in vain. I don’t want to do that. People would think I am publicity hungry, but I am not that way.”

Meena Kumari, who was known as the 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.