Folklore Mirza-Sahiban brought back to life in 'Mirzya'

By Pallavi Aman Singh New Delhi [India], Sep 28 (ANI): Tale of Mirza-Sahiban, since time immemorial, has moved people often mesmerising them and holding them spellbound and now, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's latest film 'Mirzya' is all set to breathe new life into this folklore. It may have found its way into the 53-year-old filmmaker's movie now, but the poignant tragic love story has actually haunted him from his college days. The 'Rang De Basanti' director had seen a play of Mirza-Sahiban in his college days and from then the story has stayed with him and impacted him for over two decades now. "The story stayed with me. I was very intrigued by Sahiban's character. While Mirza and Sahiban were friends since childhood, love blossomed only later," the 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag' helmer told ANI. "What was special about their story was that this was the only couple to have consummated their love. So, in that sense, they were almost similar to modern-day live-in relationships," he added. Speaking about getting the legendary writer Gulzar sahab on board after 17 years for the musical love story, Mehra said, "Twenty five years after I saw the play, I randomly texted Gulzar sahab, who also happens to be my neighbour. I hopped across for tea, and we discussed this film. In between our very poetic conversation, he agreed to be part of the movie." The film unfolds filled with heightened drama and action-packed sequences in the visually rich terrain of Rajasthan, contrasted with flashes of the fantastical universe of the folklore set in the awe-inspiring landscape of Ladakh. The movie, which introduces Anil Kapoor's son Harshvardhan Kapoor and Saiyami Kher, is all set to hit the theatres on October 7, 2016. (ANI)