About ten years ago, Soni Razdan is working on his second directorial venture, ‘Love Affair’. While her first film as a director, ‘Nazar’, released in 2005, was written by her husband and acclaimed filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt and produced under her brother Mukesh Bhatt’s banner Vishesh Films, ‘Love Affair’ is a different proposition altogether. The film is co-produced by Pooja Bhatt, Mahesh’s eldest daughter from his first marriage with Kiran Bhatt, along with Bhushan Kumar’s T-Series, under his production company Fish Eye Network Private Limited. However, the project never made it to the screen.
Sony: Razdan has Ali Fazal and Kalki Koechlin in his ‘Love Affair’ cast
Soni has started pre-production for ‘Love Affair’ in Ooty. The film is based on the famous 1959 Nanavati murder case and boasts an impressive cast, with Ali Fazal playing Nanavati, Kalki Koechlin as his wife, and Chandan Roy Sanyal stepping into the role of lawyer Ram Jethmalani. The film also features Gulshan Devaiah, Hansika Motwani, and Soni himself in key roles.
Soni Razdan reveals how Akshay Kumar’s ‘Rustom’ derailed his Nanavati film
Speaking to SCREEN in an exclusive interview, a disappointed Soni said, “Unfortunately, that happens in films.” Soni came very close to rolling the cameras before things fell apart. “It was three weeks away from the shooting, and things got messed up in the budget for one reason or another, which obviously I can’t say. Then it didn’t happen, and Rustom came out. When they made Rustom, I said it’s not the right time,” recalls Soni, referring to Tinu Suresh Desai’s hit period crime thriller, which is also rooted in the Nanavati murder case. The film stars Akshay Kumar in the lead role, inspired by real-life naval officer KM Nanavati.
Soni Razdan still hopes to make his Nanavati directorial one day
Despite ‘Love Affair’ never making it to the screen, Soni hasn’t given up on her directorial ambitions. The film remains close to his heart and he is determined to revive it in time. “I still want to make that film because it’s a very good perspective from the woman’s story, from the wife’s story. It’s a film about three people, and we’re following the story very closely. And one day, if the time is right, it will happen,” said Soni.
About the Nanavati murder case and its screen adaptations
The Nanavati murder case is about a naval officer who killed his wife’s lover. The case has inspired many films and shows over the years. RK Nayyar produced Yeh Rastey Hain Pyar Ke in 1963, starring Ashok Kumar, Sunil Dutt, and Leela Naidu. Gulzar also made a film based on the case called ‘Achanak’ in 1973, starring Vinod Khanna, Om Shivpuri, and Lily Chakravarty.
Soni Razdan plays Mehra Nanavati in ‘The Verdict – State vs Nanavati’
Later, PN Menon also made a Malayalam film called ‘Ashthram’, based on the same case, starring Bharath Gopi, Mammootty, and Jyothi. After ‘Rustom’ became a hit, Ekta Kapoor produced a web series called ‘The Verdict – State vs Nanavati’ for ALTBalaji and ZEE5. This is the first adaptation to use real names from the case. The series stars Manav Kaul as Nanavati, Eli Avram: as his wife, and Viraf Patel as his lover. Interestingly, Soni Razdan also appeared in the series, playing Mehra Nanavati.