Meena Kumari Biopic: Manish Malhotra steps back from much awaited film; says ‘I’ll direct something else’

Meena Kumari Biopic: Manish Malhotra steps back from much awaited film; says ‘I’ll direct something else’

As a lifestyle expert with a keen eye for both fashion and film, I find it intriguing to observe the journey of Manish Malhotra, a man who has mastered the art of dressing Bollywood’s elite and now aspires to paint a different canvas – that of storytelling through filmmaking. His decision to step away from the Meena Kumari biopic might be disappointing for some, but it showcases his unwavering commitment to finding the right narrative that resonates with him deeply.


Manish Malhotra is a well-known fashion designer in our country, often admired by the Hindi film industry. He ventured into filmmaking by planning a biopic about veteran actress Meena Kumar. However, he has since reconsidered and stated that he will not move forward with this project, instead seeking another story to direct.

In a fresh chat with Mid-Day, Manish Malhotra confirmed that the much-anticipated biopic movie project has been postponed, as earlier rumors suggested. Yet, this renowned designer who significantly influenced Bollywood costume design remains dedicated to his dream of directing a film and will seek out another topic for it in the future.

He stated, “I won’t be working on the biography film anymore. Instead, I plan to work on a different project. There’s still the dream of directing that hasn’t come true yet.

Furthermore, the fashion designer shared extensively about his love for filmmaking, acknowledging that not all designers possess an innate feel for cinema. However, for him, it was a significant aspect of his upbringing. He spent his childhood immersed in cinematic classics, which left an indelible impact on him, and he has been eager to expand his knowledge in this field ever since.

According to him, the timeless films such as Mughal-e-Azam and the creations of directors like Raj Kapoor and Guru Dutt profoundly impacted him. He’s immersed in the world of cinema, which is why he has a deep understanding of its mechanics.

Previously, Mid-Day announced that Kriti Sanon, known for her role in Do Patti, is set to portray the lead character, Meena Kumari. Although Malhotra hasn’t confirmed it yet, the production has faced numerous delays since 2023. Nevertheless, the team was eager to replicate the intricate details of Meena Kumari’s costumes and film sets from the 1960s and 1970s for an authentic portrayal.

Additionally, the idea for a biopic on the renowned actress, often referred to as ‘The Tragedy Queen’ in Hindi cinema, came from Kamal Amrohi’s grandson, Bilal Amrohi, who is also married to the actress. However, no official updates have been shared about this project so far.

Beyond simply taking on a role as a director, Manish has ventured into the realm of filmmaking. Not too long ago, his movie titled Saali Mohabbat, featuring Tisca Chopra, Radhika Apte, Divyenndu, and Anurag Kashyap, made its debut at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI).

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2024-11-26 16:07