Irrfan Khan to play Nehru in ‘Indian Summer’?

Filmfare Award winner Irrfan Khan is expected to play India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in Cate Blanchett starrer “Indian Summer”, according to reports.

Government of India officials, being concerned about how the affair between Nehru and Lady Edwina Mountbatten, wife of last British viceroy of India, would be played out, scrutinized the script, and have reportedly conditionally shown green light for its shooting to go ahead.

Government officials reportedly want some incidents removed, like Nehru-Edwina kiss, their being in the bed together, etc.

The makers reportedly have also been told to state that the film is a fictional work and any changes in the script should seek pre-approval. Officials reportedly will oversee the shooting and it has to be okayed before release.

Blanchett (Elizabeth) will reportedly play Edwina in this upcoming movie, which will portray last days of British rule in India. Golden Globe winner Hugh Grant (Four Weddings and a Funeral) will reportedly be last British Viceroy in India Lord Louis Mountbatten.

Acclaimed Indo-American statesman Rajan Zed, while welcoming Hollywood attempts to show India’s history on big screen, urged the filmmakers to portray India’s historical events authentically.

Zed, who is chairperson of Indo-American Leadership Confederation, in a statement in Nevada (USA), asked filmmakers not to re-imagine India’s history just for mercantile greed.

Aimed at a release in 2011, this Universal Pictures and Working Title Films drama will be reportedly directed by BAFTA winner Joe Wright (Atonement) and written by Oscar nominated William Nicholson (Gladiator), and will show Mountbatten handing over the power during the summer of 1947 to Nehru.

It is based on the book “Indian Summer: The Secret History of the End of an Empire” by Alex von Tunzelmann. Film will reportedly follow the important events during India’s Independence. It will be shot in capital Delhi, Punjab, Jammu-Kashmir, and other parts in India and filming starts early next year.

Production of Indian Summer halted over Nehru-Edwina affair

Portrayal of the affair between Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first prime minister, and Lady Edwina Mountbatten, wife of last British viceroy of India, has apparently halted the production of Cate Blanchett starrer “Indian Summer”.

India Government officials have asked to scrutinize the script to review how the Nehru-Edwina affair will be played out, reports suggest.

Mountbatten’s daughter Pamela also wrote about Nehru’s relationship with her mother in her memoir “India Remembered”.

Richard Hough’s biography “Mountbatten: Hero of Our Times” also talks about this affair. When Edwina Cynthia Annette Mountbatten died on February 21, 1960, India’s parliament passed a condolence resolution.

Oscar winner Blanchett will reportedly play Edwina in this upcoming movie, which will portray last days of British rule in India. Golden Globe winner Hugh Grant also reportedly stars in the film.

Acclaimed Indo-American statesman Rajan Zed, while welcoming Hollywood attempts to show India’s history on big screen, urged the filmmakers to portray India’s historical events authentically.

Zed, who is chairperson of Indo-American Leadership Confederation, in a statement in Nevada (USA), asked them not to re-imagine India’s history just for mercantile greed.To be released in 2011, the Universal Pictures drama will be reportedly directed by BAFTA winner Joe Wright and written by Oscar nominated William Nicholson, and will show last British Viceroy Lord Mountbatten handing over the power during the summer of 1947 to Nehru.

It is based on the book “Indian Summer: The Secret History of the End of an Empire” by Alex von Tunzelmann.