Sonali Bendre is playing a daring role of a queen who sleeps with another man to conceive a child in Amol Palekar’s next movie Anahat.
Palekar, who always chooses off-the-mark subjects for his films, has chosen female sexuality as the theme of his next movie.
Anahat is a period film set in 10th century India. It tells the story of a queen (Sonali Bendre) whose husband king is impotent. So to conceive a child for the kingdom, she is asked by the lawmakers of her kingdom, to go for niyog, a ritual wherein the queen chooses a mate for a night to give the kingdom an heir.
The story of the movie is based on Surendra Verma's play Surya Kee Antim Kiran Se Surya Kee Pehli Kiran Tak, which Palekar had translated (into Marathi) and directed in 1972.
Palekar is particularly satisfied about Sonali’s performance in the movie. He says he chose Bendre for the role because apart from glamour that the film needed, she brought a distinct aura to the film.
"Hers was the first name that came to my mind because Sonali has absolute classic beauty and yet, there's a contemporary edge to it. The way Sonali has gone even beyond her own expectations is really very satisfying. I believe she deserves a national award for Anahat," Palekar is quoted to have said.
Palekar had earlier made Daayra a film on male sexuality.
Sonali Bendre is playing a daring role of a queen who sleeps with another man to conceive a child in Amol Palekar’s next movie Anahat.