Once a bar girl, always a dancer

Thirty of her former work mates have been roped in on the production to give authenticity, the makers say, to the film, which is based on the life of controversial bar girl Tarannum. Director Suchita Bhalla says she wants the project to give the bar girls the chance to earn a livelihood with dignity.

Row-ridden starlet Preeti Jain, who plays the female lead, promises to add to the authentic touch by copying Tarannum’s mannerisms.

‘‘It is a very good decision of the director and the producer to cast bar dancers,” she says. “Our interaction with them will prove fruitful to us—we’ll get a better insight into what they’re like,’’ says Preeti, who has been dogged by one controversy after the other.

For 23-year-old Rekha and the other bar girls, working in the film is as much about survival as about entering Bollywood. Rekha, who is from Pathankot in Punjab, used to dance at Thane’s Valentina Bar before the ban put her out of business. For others in her plight, some have found their way into waitressing; others, less fortunate, are now prostitutes.

‘‘The state’s decision has hit us hard,’’ says Rekha. ‘‘Even those of us who were not into prostitution earlier have got into it—we just don’t have a choice.’’

Compared to the sums she used to earn earlier—between Rs 2,000 and 5,000 on good days—Rekha’s earnings have taken a massive cut; on the set, she is down to daily wages at Rs 200. But, as a first step into the magic world of cinema, she doesn’t feel she done too badly. ‘‘I’m working with Aamir’s brother,” she says excitedly. “I even attended Aamir’s wedding in Panchgani.’’

Apart from Hyder and Preeti, the film may also star Aamir’s father Taahir Hussain, though his involvement has yet to be confirmed. It is expected to hit screens by the first week of May.