Rajesh Khanna and Jaya Bachchan starrer ‘Bawarchi’ to be remade; here’s who will direct the film

Filmmaker Anushree Mehta, who made her directorial debut with the Radhika Apte starrer ‘Mrs Undercover’ in 2023, is set to direct the Hindi remake of the beloved 1972 classic ‘Bawarchi,’ originally directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee.

‘Bawarchi’ boasted an ensemble cast featuring actors Rajesh Khanna, Jaya Bachchan, and Asrani, among others. The cherished family comedy-drama was itself a remake of the 1966 Bengali film ‘Galpo Holeo Satti,’ starring Rabi Ghosh, directed by Tapan Sinha.

The adaptation of Hrishikesh Mukherjee's classic marks the inaugural film in a three-movie collaboration between Jaadugar Films and Sameer Raj Sippy Productions. They are set to reimagine timeless gems like Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan's ‘Mili’ (1975) and Gulzar's iconic drama ‘Koshish’ (1972).

Anushree Mehta expressed a mix of emotions, describing the opportunity to direct the ‘Bawarchi’ adaptation as a ‘kaleidoscopic combination’ of excitement, honour, and humility. Acknowledging the weight of the task, she emphasized the ‘massive responsibility’ she feels.

‘When my business partner Abir Sengupta (Jaadugar Films), Sameer Raj Sippy and I decided to join hands to produce these three iconic films, we were clear that we would leave no stone unturned in remaking them with utmost love and respect. During our discussion on Bawarchi, Abir and Sameer were of the opinion that I should be writing and directing the remake,’ she said.

‘They were convinced that I would be able to tell the story in a manner which would make them proud. We were in sync with our vision and I whole heartedly agreed to come board as the writer-director,’ the filmmaker said in a statement.

Anushree emphasized that her adaptation of ‘Bawarchi’ will be approached with ‘sensitivity,’ aiming to create wholesome ‘family films’ that resonate with contemporary audiences.

‘The idea of retelling a film is to adapt it according to the current times and make it more relatable to the world we live in today—while keeping the soul and purpose of the original intact. Since Bawarchi itself was a remake of a Bengali film, Hrishida in his time recreated it and made it relatable to that era,’ she said.

‘My attempt is going to be with a similar intention, to retell the classic story of Bawarchi in a way that the family audiences of all age groups can watch and enjoy the movie together. I’m aiming to create a wholesome, unforgettable family experience,’ she added.

Anushree has completed the screenplay adaptation and aims to commence filming the project in 2024. Casting is currently in progress, with the producers aiming to secure a top-tier A-list actor for the lead role.

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