Aandhi writer revisits Indira story

Kamleshwar, incidentally, had taught Rajiv Gandhi Hindi and had written many of his speeches, including the famous 1985 speech at the Indian National Congress’s centenary celebrations in Mumbai, where Rajiv called for the party to be purged of power-brokers. But Kamleshwar promises that his Indira project won’t be a ‘‘hagiographical documentary’’. Instead, he says, ‘‘The film is a dispassionate attempt to look at her temptestous life, her many foibles and her vision for India. We are scouting for actors and an appropriate director.’’

Kamleshwar is aware of the subject’s potential to spark off a furore, particularly after the legal wrangles between Maneka Gandhi and Katherine Frank, who authored Indira: The Life of Indira Nehru Gandhi. ‘‘There’s a way to deal with even controversial things. Katherine deliberately made certain portions of her book sensational. I don’t need to create any fresh controversy to sell my film,’’ says Kamleshwar.

Kamleshwar recently moved out of Mumbai after a career spanning nearly two decades (1966-84) during which he edited the now defunct magazine Sarika and scripted several films, including Aandhi, Mausam, Amanush, Dak Bungalow, Badnam Basti and Ram Balram. ‘‘I grew disenchanted with Bollywood’s unprofessionalism. I felt I was losing out on my basic calling,’’ he says. ‘‘I also became lonely after friends like Krishan Chander, K A Abbas, Sahir Ludhianvi and Dharamvir Bharati left the scene.’’

Mumbai’s loss was Delhi’s—and literature’s—gain. Kamleshwar’s most recent work is Kitne Pakistan, on the growing gulf between Hindus and Muslims.

He has also worked for Doordarshan and written serials like Chandrakanta, Yug and Betaab.