Amitabh Bachchan, Saif Ali Khan, and Deepika Padukone star in the upcoming political drama Aarakshan from award-winning director Prakash Jha (Raajneeti, Gangaajal).
Aarakshan is the story of Prabhakar Anand (Bachchan), an idealistic principal of a college who has single-handedly turned the school into the state’s best. It is also the story of his loyal disciple, Deepak Kumar (Saif Ali Khan) who will do anything for his Sir. Deepak is also, coincidently, in love with Prabhakar’s daughter, played by Deepika. Aarakshan encapsulates love, friendship, life and dreams, all of which get tested during the course of the film. Centered on one of India’s most controversial issues of recent years, reservation, the quota system that requires 49.5% of college admission seats be reserved for students from the lower castes as mandated by the Supreme Court, the story is a rollercoaster ride of high drama, conflict, and rebellion. A formulaic Bollywood flick perfect for summer and just days ahead of India’s Independence Day, Aarakshan opens in theaters worldwide on August 12th, 2011.
Deepika Padukone, a former model and now an actress, is best known for her 2007 Bollywood debut in Farah Khan’s blockbuster Om Shanti Om with Shahrukh Khan. In Aarakshan, Deepika plays Amitabh Bachchan’s daughter and Saif Ali Khan’s love interest. However, despite being cast alongside Bollywood heavy hitters, one of her side accomplishments in the film was mastering the art of making round rotis for a song sequence.
Not knowing that the sequence involved her ‘actually’ making a roti, she froze on being presented with loose flour. With the whole unit waiting for her to do the action, Deepika just stood there. As with most girls’ first attempts of making the simple roti, Deepika’s also came out in abstract shapes, sizes and maps of unknown countries. Seeing her comical trials and her gradually getting covered in white flour, Saif apparently came to her rescue with not much success. Finally Prakash Jha came up with an innovative shortcut to a perfectly round roti.
Prakash Jha commented, “It was nothing major. Deepika was pretty comfortable in the kitchen. I just helped her a little bit.” Saif added, “It was interestingly funny, reminded me of the scene in Kaalia, where Amitji helps Parveen Babiji to make an egg. (laughs) Thank God it wasn’t an egg for Deepika.” Deepika commented, “I was so embarrassed, I can totally cook, but roti is a challenge. As with life the most simplest of things sometimes get to be a hardest to master.”
Here, Deepika gives insight in Aarakshan.
Tell us about the film and the character you play? The film is based on one if the most controversial policies of caste-ism and reservation system in government and the education system in India. Amitabh Bachchan plays the legendary and idealistic college principal and he has single-handedly turned his college into the state’s best. I play the role of Amitabh Bachchan’s daughter, Poorbi Anand, who is also Saif Ali Khan’s love interest in the film. Poorbi’s personality and persona are shaped by the relationships in her life – her daughter, a girlfriend, a friend and a student. In essence, the film is about the impact that the issue of reservation has on a multitude of relationships and how this tests each of them.
What was it like working with Mr Bachchan for the first time? I have always been in absolute awe of him so to work with him first hand is a memory I will cherish for my entire life. It was incredibly nerve racking at first, but he is a very humble and kind human being and I got to learn so much from him. He is a true legend for me.
And what about working with Saif Ali Khan for the second time? It is always a pleasure working with Saif. We have a great familiarity and a great comfort level when we are working which always help when you are starting new projects and especially on something as intense as this.
What attracted you to the film? Everything really, from the subject matter of the film, my role and of course, the opportunity to work with such a formidable cast and crew. When choosing a film, I always have to feel a connection with it, something I would like to be part of and Aarakshan had all of this for me and more.
Who will the film appeal to? The film is in essence a drama that will appeal to the masses – you have the romance, youthfulness, intense (family) drama, entertainment and so forth. From an India perspective, every student and family member would be able to empathize with the characters and connect to the film either they or someone they know have experienced discrimination. Having said that, I think there is a huge global appeal, especially in the western part of the world, whether UK/USA as the common man wherever they may be has been exposed to the issue of reservation and discrimination.
Title: AARAKSHAN (“Reservation”)
Director: Prakash Jha
Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone, Manoj Bajpayee, and Prateik Babbar
Music Directors: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
Official Site: http://www.Aarakshanthefilm.com/
Distributor: Reliance Big Pictures
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