Rani Mukerji the Marathan

Actor Rani Mukerji is gearing up for the launch of the first look of her upcoming film Aiyaa today. The film about a woman finding a man desirable because he smells good has Rani playing a Marathi girl, who falls in love with a South Indian boy played by Malayalam actor Prithviraj.

The story set against a Maharashtrian backdrop  in Pune,  where director Sachin Kundalkar hails from.

In keeping with the theme of the film, the first look is being launched at Dadar’s Plaza cinema, founded by legendary filmmaker V Shantaram.  The theatre pre-dominantly screens Marathi films. “We wanted to open the film in a Marathi bastion. As per the theme we will be having the hosts i.e. Rani’s  parents in the film, who are looking for a suitable match for her, serving typical Maharastrian snacks like chai,  poha and srikhand,” informs Kundalkar. 

The film is loosely based on one of the stories of Kundalkar’s  acclaimed  Marathi film Gandha (fragrance). “Anurag (producer Anurag Kasyhap) had liked that film and wanted to make a film based on smell. That was the starting point but the story has completely changed for Hindi,” says Kundalkar who decided to set his story in a Maharasthrian family. “I like Bollywood films but I am saturated with the Punjabi culture. I feel every regional sensibility has to be represented and in that respect Mani Ratnam is my idol.

He brought in the South sensibilities and since I am a Maharashtrian I am bringing in mine,” says Kundalkar.