Fashion designer-turned-filmmaker Manish Malhotra has announced that he is no longer directing the highly-anticipated biopic of iconic actress Meena Kumari. Speaking at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa during the premiere of his debut production, Saali Mohabbat, Malhotra shared his thoughts on his growing journey in filmmaking.
Manish Malhotra Steps Back From Directing Meena Kumari Biopic
“I am not directing Meena Kumari (biopic), but I will make something else soon. I have been impacted by Yash ji [Yash Chopra] and wish to direct romances one day.”
The biopic, which reportedly had Kriti Sanon cast as Meena Kumari, has faced its share of controversy. Tajdar Amrohi, Meena Kumari’s stepson, previously voiced his disapproval of the project and hinted at potential legal action.
While Malhotra didn’t directly address these issues, his decision to step away is a notable development for the much-discussed film.
Malhotra Debuts In Filmmaking With Saali Mohabbat
Even with this change, Malhotra’s entry into filmmaking continues to progress. His production house, Stage 5, recently launched its first film, Saali Mohabbat. The film stars Tisca Chopra, Radhika Apte, Divyendu, and Anurag Kashyap and highlights powerful female-centred stories.
Manish Malhotra shared that with Stage 5, he aimed to introduce a fresh narrative, distinct from what people usually associate with him. While many expected his films to feature stars like Kareena Kapoor Khan or younger actresses with a heavy focus on glamour, he clarified that his production is not a continuation of his fashion brand. He added that while he could create glamorous stories at any time, his primary focus is on crafting strong scripts.
Malhotra also stressed that financial gains are not his priority. “I am not bothered about making profits with these movies. The only thing on my mind is putting the right films out there. At the end of the day, scripts are what’s most important,” he concluded.
(Also read: Kamal Amrohi And Meena Kumari’s Son Tajdar Amrohi To Sue Kriti Sanon And Manish Malhotra Over Meena Kumari Biopic)
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