Just in the way a familiar fragrance triggers a special memory, an old film replayed on
the television revives specific recall. It happened to me last night when surfing late night
I came across Sai Paranjpye’s telefilm Saaz and could not resist watching the entire film.
Saaz revived memories of how the film was conceived /cast and shot, all the stories and
controversies associated with the film came gushing back. The Mangeshkar family was
upset because word had got around that the story was inspired from the life of Asha
Bhosle played by Shabana Azmi and Lata Mangeshkar played by Aruna Irani.
When the film was released both the actresses were inundated with compliments but
while Shabana had the author backed role, Aruna Irani sparkled in her slightly negative
role of the elder sister. Call it a coincidence but I bumped into Aruna Irani soon after and
asked her if she expected such an overwhelming response? “I didn’t frankly, because
after so many years before the camera I still feel that no artiste, no matter how talented is
capable of a good performance without the guidance of the director. The actor projects
the character but his understanding of the role is always limited as compared to the
filmmaker who sees it as a complete picture”.
To be continued
@bhawnasomaaya