Aarakshan – Another controversial take by Prakash Jha

Prakash Jha’s next venture is yet another attempt by the film maker to address socially relevant issues. Jha’s next film, Aarakshan that stars, Saif Ali Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone and Manoj Bajpai deals with the reservation
StarBuzz Weekly, Toronto-Jun 15, 2011 – Prakash Jha’s upcoming film, Aarakshan that deals with the reservation system based on castes in educational institutions and government jobs is set for release on 12th August. Says Jha,"Reservation is a wide and complex issue. I am not making a statement for or against it through my film. I am only trying to explore it in a story form. Audiences are very intelligent and they can find solution themselves.” The film is jointly produced by Prakash Jha and Firoz A. Nadiadwala. Most of the film has been shot in Bhopal. Bollywood composers, Shankar- Ehsaan-Loy have composed the music for the film. Lyricist Prasoon Joshi has written the lyrics for the songs and also composed the music of the title track of the film, Kaun si Dor which has been sung by Pandit Chunnulal Misra. Says Joshi, "I was just writing the songs for Aarakshan. A tune came to my head. I discussed it with Shankar (Music director Shankar Mahadevan is also his close friend) and he liked the tune. It was not at all pre-planned and it happened quite by accident."

Aarakshan revolves around Dr. Prabhakar Anand, who is an idealistic college principal and who does not believe in casteism. Jha has cast Bollywood megastar, Amitabh Bachchan in this pivotal role. However, by turn of events he is accused of being a casteist by all including his favourite student Deepak Kumar played by Saif Ali Khan who is also in love with Dr. Anand’s daughter, Poorbie, portrayed by Deepika Padukone, What follows is Poorbie misunderstanding Deepak who happens to be a dalit.  Rest remains to be seen in the film. Shedding some light on this character, Amitabh Bachchan said, his character does not believe in casteism but also feels that reservations are meant to be opportunities to weaker sections to move forward. The film also braoches the subject ofhow opportunities for education are becoming increasingly commercialised. It highlights the commercialisation of education system.

Apart from Amitabh Bachchan, Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone, the film also features the likes of Manoj Bajpai, Prateik Babbar as Sushant, Shabana Azmi, Tanvi Azmi, Hema Malini, Chetan Pandit, Mukesh Tiwari, Yashpal Sharma, Darshan Jariwala, Saurabh Shukla, Vinay Apte, Anita Kanwar, S.M. Zaheer and Aanchal Munjal.