‘Jaya is full of life’

Iin his forthcoming film Naughty @ 40, Jagmohan Mundhra will be paying a tribute to Jaya Bachchan’s character in Uphaar, a family drama directed by Sudhendu Roy in 1971 which also starred Swarup Dutt. The film, which was reported to have been indefinitely stalled, is commencing its new schedule.

Jagmohan says, “I’m looking to cast someone for the character which is very similar to Jaya Bhaduri’s persona in her film, Uphaar. I loved her role in it. She is so full of life, joy and brings so much energy and naturalness to the screen. My lead heroine in Naughty @ 40 has very similar traits. My actress will be a Punjabi belle who is equally fun-loving. You can say that this character is inspired by Jaya’s.”

Uphaar narrated the story of Anoop, a young man who studies law in Kolkata. When Anoop reaches the marriageable age, his mother asks him to marry a girl but he says that he would like to get a feel of her personality  before giving a nod to the union. In a twist to the tale, he falls in love with a belle named Minoo, a young girl whom he bumps into while meeting the original girl he is supposed to be marrying. The boy’s mother realises that Minoo has no household skills. She is neither educated nor mature enough to handle relationships and loves stealing mangoes and playing with children. 

Jagmohan dismisses rumours that his film has been shelved. He says, “This is completely untrue. I’m starting my next schedule very soon. Yes, there was a problem with liquidity due to the recession, but those problems have been sorted out. We are on course and signing the lead actress opposite Govinda soon. We had approached Ayesha Takia to play the female lead but she had declined our offer as she was getting married. Now, we will approach her again as she has postponed her ceremony,” Jagmohan adds.