Daijiworld Media Network - Entertainment

Mumbai, Oct 7: Titled Ae Mohabbat, movie that narrates the life of celebrated ghazal singer and thumri singer Begum Akhtar is said to be in pre-production stages with plans to have Irrfan Khan and Kangana Ranaut as the leading cast. While Kangana and Irrfan Khan have been part of the ensemble cast in movies such as Knock Out and Life in a Metro but have never been cast opposite each other.

Both being considered very good actors, means that audiences will have much to look forward to in the movie. Shri Anup Jalota Productions and Ae Mohabbat Productions announced on Tuesday that the movie centred around Padmabhushan recipient Begum Akhtar will be directed by filmmaker Ketan Mehta.

Adding to the acting talent of Kangana and Irrfan is the accompanying music by Oscar winner A R Rahman. Jalota revealed that, "We are trying to get Kangana Ranaut to play one of the stages of Begum Akhatar in the film." He also said, "We have grown up listening to and idolising Begum Akhtar. I have been wanting to intiate such project and a tie up with Ae Mohabbat Productions and associating with Rita Ganguly who knew her personally, is a real blessing," he added.

Rita Ganguly, was a student Begum Akhtar and addressed her as "Ammi" said that the journey that Begum Akhtar traversed as her life is nothing less than a movie in itself. She said, "It is not really a biopic but a feature film. The screenplay is ready and it will have full formula of a superhit film . We are planning to release it next year as it is a period film and lot goes behind making such projects." Mr. Jalota also told media persons that the Uttar Pradesh government has extended their complete support for the film that tracks the life of Begum Akhtar from the time she was born in Faizabad till she got buried in Lucknow.

Here's hoping Kangana, Irrfan and A R Rahman together bring to life, the magic that was Begum Akhtar.