Director, family clash over Meena Kumari’s biopic

Director Shashilal Nair, who stirred much controversy with his film Ek Choti Si Love Story in 2002, is on his way to make a biopic on legendary actor Meena Kumari. He said, “I will direct and produce the Meena Kumari biopic. Meena Kumari died at the age of 39, because she had no money for her treatment. She didn’t have any family as such, so I don’t have to take any permission from anybody.”

Meanwhile producer Tajdar Amrohi, who is also Meena Kumari’s stepson, is seeking other directors to make the film. He had had a word with Nair about this long ago, but the two had exchanged nothing in writing about the permissions required for the film.

When contacted, Amrohi said, “There are many people out there who want to make a biopic on Meena Kumari, but I have not given permission to any of them so far. Recently, there was a filmmaker who came with a script that I have liked very much, but we are still in the process of finalising it. If someone makes the film without our consent, I will fight  them legally.”