One of Shyam Benegal’s most neglected films Sardari Begum completes 29 years on May 23. Interestingly, the master-creator cast two actresses Kirron Kher and Smriti Mishra as the older and younger version of the title character.
This didn’t work.
Speaking on the film one of its lead players Rajit Kapoor says, “Oh wow, 29 years! You know the thing I remember the most about Sardari Begum is that Shyam Babu offered me the role just after I played Gandhi in The Making Of The Mahatma. From the epitome of goodness to playing the sadistic lecherous pimp (laughs) …it was a dream turn-around for me as an actor.”
Rajit also recalls the enchanting music by Vanraj Bhatia and Ashok Patki. “The music …of my God!… the songs were incredible. At a time when very few films were using Hindustani classical… the songs still resonate.”
Rajit had to undergo various stages of physical transformation for Sardari Begum. “I had to play my character at three stages of his life, so that was another challenge. To be honest I enjoyed every minute of this film. Being with great actors like Surekha Sikriji, Amrish Puriji, Kirron Kherji, Rajeshwari Sachdeva…wow!”
Rajit admits Shyam Benegal has given him some of his career’s best roles in Suraj Ka Satwan Ghoda, Mammo, Sardari Begum, The Making Of The Mahatma, Hari Bhari and Zubeida. “Absolutely! One after the other such diverse roles. I am honoured that since 1992 I have been part of all his projects in one form or another. Now I’d be really upset if he made a film without me.”
