Hema Malini will be returning again on the big screen after Baghbaan. Her comeback was a great success and now she returns as “Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia“. Thirty years ago, she played Razia Sultan for Kamal Amrohi now, yesteryear Dream Girl Hema Malini is playing Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia for Gulbahar Singh’s film Ek Thi Rani Aisi Bhi.
As told to the media, Hema said “The look is not as grand as Razia Sultan or Mughal-e-Azam but the film has its own charm. It’s about a strong lady who achieved her dream and stood with high esteem in a male dominated world. Earlier, too, I have done women-centric films like Meera, Kinara, Khushboo, Seeta aur Geeta and others. And i’m glad that after so many years i’m being offered such power packed roles.
The film is based on the biography of the former Maharani Of Gwalior who, after being one of the highest aristocrats, became a prominent political personality. Also called Ek Thi Rani Aisi Bhi, the biography was written by Mridula Sinha. To prepare herself for the Rajmata’s role, hema sought the help of designer Neeta Lulla. She had earlier done the costume work for Hema ji in Baghbaan so she wanted her to do for her in this film also. The Rajmata look is simple but elegant too. The finesse was very important for the character like this , Hema said. Neeta Lulla had to spent quite a lot time for getting the perfect look for Hemaji. “Hemaji also gave me a reference book which helped me a lot,” said the designer.
Ek Thi Rani Aisi Bhi is produced by the Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Smriti Trust. Hema intends to spend time with the Scindia family in Gwalior to learn more about the late Queen and also do research on the Rajmata so that she can portray her character perfectly on screen. The actress after the great comeback in Baghban was busy with the parliament and dance ballet. But she’s quite happy with the full time return to bollywood.
