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Gowariker keen to make biopic on Gauhar Jaan
Director Ashutosh Gowariker, who is known for delivering some iconic films from the Oscarnominated Lagaan (2001) to Swades (2004) and Jodhaa Akhbar (2008) among others, is quite enthused at the Indian audiences appreciating biopics and expressed his desire to make a film on legendary singer-dancer Gauhar Jaan, who was once revered as the Jaan-e-Kalkata (life of Kolkata).
Asked if he wished to make a biopic on her, he said, “Recently, I have acquired a book called My Name Is Gauhar Jaan by Vikram Sampat. Gauhar was the first lady who recorded for Gramophone Company Of India. She was a great singer from a forgotten era and I think that it is a lovely story. Her story is quite inspiring... let’s see.”
He believes that Indian cinema is going through an interesting phase. “Though a biography always interests me, I never thought that a biopic in our cinema would be appreciated by the audience so much. I think that the change has come not just from our end but also from the audience because unless they accept our creative thoughts, we won’t be able to make films.”
Gowariker said that he loves indie films and the day is not far when he would direct a film on the small canvas. “Telling a story on a big or small canvas depends on the script. While most of my films look like a big canvas because of its cinematography, I want to make a film one day, in an indie manner, shot in one small location, in 45 days of the shooting schedule. But the story has to be right for that.”