Saif Ali Khan Has Pulled Off A Stunner In Aarakshan

It has not been an easy assignment for Saif Ali Khan to portray the role of a dalit in the upcoming film AARAKSHAN.
According to sources, ‘Prakash Jha’s faith in Saif’s ability to pull off the dalit act made the latter go out of his way to fit the character. From learning algebra to speaking chaste Hindi, it was challenges galore for Saif Ali Khan.’
Saif on his part admits the challenge his act posed during the shoot of the film. Says he, ‘There were a number of demands from the character that I am playing in AARAKSHAN. From understanding the subject I always dreaded-algebra, to getting a tan to avoid the chocolate looks, there were many things to do. In order to understand the full nuances of my act I did a lot of research with the help of my director.’
Speaking about Saif’s role, Prakash Jha adds, “I loved the way Saif used to constantly ask about his character details. Though we had done workshops before the shoot began but Saif always had 100 questions to ask before each shot.”
Saif’s is playing a dalit in the film and by the initial looks of his act it is nothing short of a mesmerizing performance coming our way. Source
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Big B Underlines The Connection Between Aarakshan & KBC

There have been few protests going around in Punjab before the release of Prakash Jha’s film ‘Aarakshan’ demanding the removal of a supposedly controversial line from the film which questions the concept of reservation.
“An actor is being shown in the promo saying “We don’t want reservation, we want merit”. Our main objection is with this dialogue. It seems the intention of the director is to oppose those who get reservation,” C L Chumbar, the president of ‘Anti-Aarakshan’ group said while addressing the media.
Since the film deals with a sensitive topic, such opposition is but obvious. Amitabh Bachchan has however made it clear how the film’s philosophy is a lot like KBC.
Bachchan wrote, “In many ways the philosophy of the film and that of KBC is quite similar. Given opportunity, even the lesser privileged shall prosper. Or at least have the capacity to prosper. The previous season of KBC showed to us that contestants from small town India, came up in large numbers and did what most metro town inhabitants could not achieve. The power of opportunity, the power of determination if the resources materialize, and the ultimate joy of disproving most others is really the triumph of the common man.
Who would have ever thought that a Muslim lady from a small town, conservative in its outlook, would one day sit on the hot seat and crack the jackpot of a crore of rupees ! But she did, as did many others from humble beginnings. And that really is the marvel. Those without means and facilities, those who have never had opportunity to even think of education, for them to suddenly find themselves in the higher echelons of society, speaks volumes for the democratic nature of our constitution and the adherence thereof.
The film ‘Aarakshan’ provides many sides of this issue and many other. And so when we have movie integration with KBC, this point stands out in great favour for the film.” Source
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Deepika Padukone Speaks On Her Film Aarakshan

Promos of AARAKSHAN pretty much promise a hard hitting dramatic affair in the offing. Also there is a trademark Prakash Jha stamp to the frames that promise a film that should succeed in entertaining its audience. Quiz Deepika Padukone, leading lady of the film, on whether the promise would be met and she nods affirmatively.
“Don’t worry, we will all keep our promise,” smiles Deepika, “When it comes to AARAKSHAN, we are all quite confident about the tale it aspires to tell. There is enough drama in the film to keep you engaged. When you see the promo, you get a whiff of what to expect from the film.
Since it’s the issue of ‘reservation’ which is being dealt with, you can pretty much imagine the intensity that can be promised with AARAKSHAN. At the end of the day if the content is good, there is nothing to worry about from entertainment standpoint.”
She is also happy about the fact that she was an immediate choice for the director who wanted to cast her as Amitabh Bachchan’s daughter in this volatile drama.
“I was so happy about the fact that he was giving me such an important role in the film,” gushes Deepika, “Despite such stalwarts in the cast, he explained to me what he felt about my presence in the film. The way he believed in me and appreciated me was amazing. What else does an actor want than to see her director show such confidence in her? Really, my day was made.”
With Saif Ali Khan in the lead and also starring Manoj Bajpai, Prateik Babbar and Tanvi Azmi, AARAKSHAN is a Firoz Nadiadwala production and releases all over on 12th August, the weekend leading to Independence Day. Source
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Aarakshan Is Facing Issues One After The Other

It’s a classic case of fighting for your rights. Critically acclaimed director Prakash Jha is pretty peeved as the Uttar Pradesh government has been overtly reticent towards his upcoming film Aarakshan.
The film which stars Amitabh Bachchan features the star as a principal of a college torn by reservation issues. Keeping this theme in mind, the makers were to hold seminars on reservations in Lucknow, however they were denied permission for the same.

Speaking about this Jha says that first they were denied permission to hold the seminar on job reservation at the Lucknow University. Later when they hired the Indira Gandhi auditorium, permission was denied yet again by the Lucknow Development Authority.
To appease this situation, Jha has even left a message with a close associate of CM Mayawati saying that he is willing to arrange a special screening of the film for her.  Source
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