Irrfan, Deepika to play Sahir Ludhianvi and Amrita Pritam in Gustakhiyan

Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the film will follow the real-life romance of the two poets

15 Jan, 2016

The real-life romance of legendary poets Sahir Ludhianvi and Amrita Pritam will come to life in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's next film, Gustakhiyan.

While actor Irrfan has been locked for the role of Ludhianvi for a while, there was some speculation about who is to play Amrita Pritam.

Earlier, it was suggested that Priyanka Chopra may play the poet, but the latest rumour is that the director has signed his other Bajirao Mastani heroine, Deepika Padukone opposite Irrfan.

If this is true, Gustakhiyan would be Deepika and Irrfan's second pairing after Piku, where they played a tentative couple to great success. Here, however, they will have a full-fledged romance, so it's good to know the two actors have bankable chemisty.

Also, Deepika bears an uncanny resemblance to Amrita Pritam, while Irrfan Khan definitely has the acting chops to pull off the Sahir Ludhianvi's role

Priyanka and Irrfan, on the other hand, have done Saat Khoon Maaf together, which wasn't quite the box office hit.

Comments

Najma Hisham Jan 15, 2016 11:59am

Ludhianvi Sahib and Bibi Amrita Pritam both legends in Punjabiyat. Their literary works and poems makes me so proud to be a Punjabi. I can't wait.

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HASH Jan 15, 2016 12:34pm

great choice for great people...

MUHAMMAD AKRAM Jan 15, 2016 12:36pm

It will be so good if the film is made in Pakistan. !

Mir Jan 15, 2016 02:22pm

Hmm... guess it was Priyanka who was supposed to play the poetess.

SavetheFuture Jan 15, 2016 03:13pm

Both are bad choice for this kind of role. Deepika is great but not best suited for portraying a deep, melancholic expressions or painful smile. Neither does she have any persona or semblance of a literary genius. And punjabi accent ? Her dialogue pitch is not variable to handle Punjabi accent. And Irrfan has become very repeating actor now. There is certain cockiness in his acting and dialogue delivery. Not easy to portray real life giants. May be Richa Chadha could be Amrita Pritam. Manoj Bajpayee can fit the bill as Sahir but if he learns Punjabi. Actually Shah rukh can play this role very good like he did in Veer-Zara

Punjabistani Jan 15, 2016 05:09pm

Ludhianvi's kabhie kabhie mere dil mein is now legendary. When he collapsed, he was with Rishi Kapoor. His close confidant was gulzar, whilst Amrita Pritam, the shy Sikh Punjabi Urdu genius who gave goosebumps to all who were lucky enough to attend her recitals. I hope this show captures the pain of Punjabi intellectuals like Ludhiana, faiz Ahmed faiz and others when Punjab was partioned.

Zak Jan 15, 2016 06:06pm

@Najma Hisham he wrote beautiful urdu verses for songs.

Vijay Jan 15, 2016 06:51pm

People always talk about three Khan's Amir, Salman, and Sharukh. These guys are always in the news either in positive or a negative way. Though underrated Irfan is as a good an actor like the other Khans and I have yet to hear any controversy. Both Irfan and Deepika were fantastic in Piku. Irfan was as good as the Big B in the movie.

Salim Langra Jan 15, 2016 07:17pm

Anushka Sharma, possibly was the best choice, both in facial resemblance and, importantly, the natural flair with the language that is so important here.

Arisha G Jan 15, 2016 08:05pm

Well, if they were going by looks, maybe Ajay Devgan could have portrayed him? I think.

inam ullah KHan Jan 15, 2016 08:11pm

Amrita Pritam really look like Anushka Sharma... and shahrukh khan is better for this role....really he is outstanding..

Pakistan Jan 15, 2016 11:27pm

i had read it in books in 1994 and today saw pics n further good to know coming in life.

Rishabh Jan 16, 2016 12:13am

@inam ullah KHan I disagree. She is far more beautiful than any actress.

ShuBratChowdery Jan 16, 2016 05:03am

@Salim Langra Anushka Sharma is not punjabi btw. A lot of people make that mistake.