Jaanisaar
| Jaanisaar | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Muzaffar Ali |
| Written by | Javed Siddiqui Shama Zaidi Muzaffar Ali |
| Produced by | Meera Ali |
| Starring | Imran Abbas Pernia Qureshi |
| Cinematography | Gianni Giannelli |
| Edited by | Sankalp Meshram |
Release date | 7 August 2015 |
| Country | India |
| Languages | Hindi, Urdu |
Jaanisaar is a 2015 Indian film, directed by Muzaffar Ali, and written by Javed Siddiqui, Shama Zaidi and Muzaffar Ali. Jaanisaar is a love saga of a revolutionary courtesan of Avadh, India, and a prince brought up in England, set 20 years after the first war of Indian Rebellion of 1857. The film stars Pakistani actor Imran Abbas and fashion entrepreneur Pernia Qureshi, who will make her debut with the film. The film was released on 7 August 2015.
Plot
A period drama set in 1877, the film depicts the story of a revolutionary killer.
Cast
- Imran Abbas as Amir Haider
- Pernia Qureshi as Noor
- Muzaffar Ali as Meer Mohsin Sahab
- Dalip Tahil as Raja Iqbal
- Abid Yunus Khan as Ratan Singh
- Carl Wharton as Cavendish
- Beena Kak as Mushtari
- Natalie Arikan as Kitty
- Benjamin Coakley as Robert
- Luv Bhargav as Raja Alipur
Production
Development
Jaanisaar marks the comeback of director Muzaffar Ali, who is known for his cult film Umrao Jaan (1981). The film was initially titled Raqs: The Dance Within, but was later changed to Jaanisaar. Muzaffar Ali said in an interview− "People would often ask me what 'Raqs' means, so I thought of calling the film something that was more familiar, like 'Jaanisaar'. There were also some problems with registering the name. 'Raqs' is already registered with a body, I wasn't aware of. So, we had to rename the film."[1] The film is produced by Ali's wife, Meera, and Arno Krimmer is the executive producer. Regarding the story-line, Ali commented− "I feel our own people need to learn certain parts of our history to become more responsible citizen. History is written into two ways -- written by conqueror and the other one is the human history. I felt this story has to be told. The country needs to know this story."
Filming
The film has been entirely shot in Uttar Pradesh, mostly in Lucknow Quaiserbagh Baradari.[1] Some scenes were filmed at the director's hometown, Kotwara. Ali remarked− "Jaanisaar is set in 20 years after Umrao Jaan, that is 1877. I always like to delve into the past to look at the future. I shot the film in our house." Birju Maharaj and Kumudini Lakhia have choreographed the dance sequences.[2]
Casting
The film has Pakistani actor Imran Abbas Naqvi, his second film in Bollywood, preceded by Creature 3D.[3] It also marks the debut of Pernia Qureshi, who is a notable fashion stylist and costume designer by profession. Regarding her appearance in the film, director Muzaffar Ali remarked, "Pernia is different. I needed a strong dancer and at the same time a fresh face. She really danced her life out into the film. She did a very good job of a revolutionary dancer."[4][5]
Soundtrack
Playback singers for Jaanisaar include notable Indian and Pakistani artists such as Shreya Ghoshal, Abida Parveen and Sukhwinder Singh and famous folk singer Malini Awasthi. The music has been composed by Muzaffar Ali & Ustad Shafqat Ali Khan. Shreya Ghoshal has given her voice to 5 tracks from the album. The full album was released on 24 July 2015.
| Untitled | |
|---|---|
| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Hamein Bhi Pyar Kar Le" | Shreya Ghoshal | |
| 2. | "Champayi Rang Yaar Aajaye" | Shreya Ghoshal, Ustad Shafqat Ali Khan | |
| 3. | "Sufiye Ba Safa Manam (Male)" | Shafqat Ali Khan | |
| 4. | "Teri Katili Nigahon Ne Mara" | Malini Awasthi | |
| 5. | "Aye Zulfe–E-Pareshaan" | Sukhwinder Singh, Shreya Ghoshal | |
| 6. | "Masnad Luti" | Shreya Ghoshal | |
| 7. | "Har Taraf Andhera Hai" | Sukhwinder Singh | |
| 8. | "Sawan" | Malini Awasthi | |
| 9. | "Achchi Surat Pe" | Shreya Ghoshal | |
| 10. | "Sufiye Ba Safa Manam (Female)" | Abida Parveen |
References
- ^ a b Seth, Devanshi (26 August 2014). "Muzaffar Ali's Raqs renamed Jaanisaar'". The Times of India. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
- ^ "Lucky to get the dream role in Muzaffar Ali's next: Pernia". Jagran. 24 August 2014. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
- ^ "Imran Abbas to appear on 'Comedy Nights with Kapil' with Bipasha". Daily Times. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
- ^ "'RAQS...' actress Pernia Qureshi showstopper for Kotwara". Business Standard. 9 August 2014. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
- ^ "IBFW 2014: Muzaffar Ali, Meera give a glipmse of 'RAQS' via ramp show". India TV. 11 August 2014. Retrieved 6 September 2014.