Priyanka Chopra to star in Lajjo

The film based on Ismat Chughtai’s short story has been revived.

Last April, it was announced that Lajjo is a forthcoming film to be directed by Mani Ratnam starring Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor in the lead. The film was being produced by Mani Ratnam and Bobby Bedi.  The film was supposed to complete a hat-trick for Kapoor and Khan who had earlier been paired in 3 Idiots and Talaash. AR Rahman was to compose the music with lyrics by Gulzar and Rensil D’Silva was working on the script.

However, the drama didn’t roll. “The film was based on the works of the famous Urdu playwright, Ismat Chughtai. The reason it didn’t go on the floor was because of a dispute over the story rights,” revealed a source, reported the Times of India.

Recently, Mirror reported that Bedi and T P Aggarwal, who are currently at the Cannes Film Festival, have locked a deal to revive the project. Aggarwal will co-produce the film and Bedi will direct it and instead of Kareena Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra will be seen in the lead role. However, the new male lead has not been decided yet.

“The earlier dispute has now been settled with Bedi having officially bought the rights,” added the source. Confirming the news, Aggarwal said: “I am happy that Lajjo is finally happening. We should have the cast in place within four months. We don’t have anyone in mind for the male lead yet, but we plan to approach Priyanka to play the heroine as soon as she is back in town. I have no clue about Kareena being in talks for the role earlier.”

The film is based on Chughtai’s short story Lajjo, which is all about a grumpy, lonesome, middle-aged man who is being seduced by his young and bold housekeeper, until he eventually marries her which leads to several problems.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 26^th, 2014.

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