Prakash Jha has pulled off the unimaginable. In his next film ‘Satyagrah’ he has brought together Amitabh Bachchan and Kareena Kapoor.
It is no coincidence that the last time they worked together was in Govind Nihalani’s Dev in 2004 where they had no scenes together.
Since then every time any project offer purported to bring the two charismatic actors together was shot down by the one or the other.
And with reason. The hurt that the Bachchans suffered after Abhishek’s break-up with Kareena’s elder sister Karisma on the eve of their marriage remained standing like an impregnable wall between the two families.
This writer remembers when Kareena was being considered for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Black, Amitabh Bachchan had categorically shot down the idea.
Time and experience have effectually healed the affronted father’s wounds. Bachchan is no longer opposed to the idea of working with Kareena whom after her debut in J P Dutta’s Refugee with his son Abhishek, he had described to this writer as “ethereal”.
Beauty never fades. Abhishek and Karisma have moved on in life. Kareena on the threshold of marriage, is all set to share screen space with Amitabh Bachchan.
Says a source, “And this time unlike Dev where it was made sure that the two didn’t have to come face-to-face Amitji and Kareena have lots of scenes together. Major confrontational scenes.”
In ‘Satyagrah’ Kareena plays Ajay Devgn’s lady-love and Amitabh plays Devgn’s mentor.
Says the source, “Kareena plays a very strong woman whose ideology and politics are unshakeable. When she realizes that Devgn’s character is going astray she opposes him and stands up against both Devgn and Big B.”
Kareena, we are told, would have many confrontational moments with Big B.
Says a source very close to the project, “Prakash Jha’s women characters are no walkovers. Kareena’s role would be the most powerful female part in Prakash’s cinema since Madhuri Dixit in Mrityudand. And the power of her role comes from the interactive space that she shares with Big B. It’s the role of a thinking woman, very far removed from her outing with Devgn in Golmaal Returns.”