Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Aug 11: Veteran actress Jaya Prada is set to return to the big screen with the upcoming drama ‘Jai Hind Jai Sindh’, director Indrajeet Lankesh has revealed.
Speaking to reporters, Lankesh said he grew up watching Jaya Prada’s films and described the opportunity to direct her comeback film as a “pleasure and an honour”.
Asked about his experience of working with the veteran actress, Lankesh said, “Of course, she is making a comeback with ‘Jai Hind Jai Sindh’. It is a pleasure because I grew up watching her films, including her work with Dr Rajkumar sir.”
He recalled her performance in the Kannada film ‘Sanadi Appanna’, describing it as a “fantastic” biopic in which Jaya Prada played the role of a dancer.
“It was a huge blockbuster in the South. I grew up watching those kinds of films featuring Jaya Prada ma’am. And then, of course, there was ‘Sharaabi’. Who can forget ‘Sharaabi’ with Bachchan sir? We were all in college when we watched that film,” he said.
Expressing his excitement at directing Jaya Prada, Lankesh added, “For me to direct her in a comeback film is a pleasure and an honour. To be able to say ‘action’ and ‘cut’ for her is truly a dream come true.”
The film also features an ensemble cast comprising Mahesh Manjrekar, Rahul Dev, Indira Tiwari and Vikram Kochhar, among others.
Lankesh said he particularly admired Tiwari’s performance in ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ and Kochhar’s work in ‘Dunki’.
“There are several senior actors, including actors from the National School of Drama. Mahesh Manjrekar sir is the senior-most among them,” he said.
The filmmaker also highlighted the role of newcomers in the film, saying two girls and two boys form the central characters in the foreground.
“At the same time, the young generation of actors has a huge platform through this film because they are newcomers. Two girls and two boys are the central characters in the foreground. This is a huge breakthrough for them,” he said.
Lankesh added that providing opportunities to young talent has been a recurring feature of his career.
“It is something I have been doing throughout my career — giving youngsters a platform, a career opportunity and a stage to express themselves,” he said.