International Women’s Day on March 8 brings ‘Mehrunisa’ back into the limelight with special screenings organized by the Austrian Cultural Forum and Embassy in New Delhi. Indo-Austrian director Sandeep Kumar’s film spotlights the late Farrukh Jafar, a symbol of female fortitude from Lucknow’s aristocratic backdrop to Bollywood fame.
The celebrations span borders, with Austrian honorary consulates in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka joining hands. Women’s groups are providing spaces for these viewings, fostering dialogue on gender equality.
This 85-minute feature, filmed in Lucknow, stars Farrukh Jafar in the lead at age 85—a rarity in female-led stories. It narrates her break from tradition, her acting prowess, and her role as an inspiration. Co-stars include Tulika Banerjee and Ankit Dikshit.
Renowned for ‘Umrao Jaan’ (Rekha’s mother), Farrukh graced ‘Swades’, ‘Peepli Live’, ‘Gulabo Sitabo’—delighting as Amitabh Bachchan’s mischievous wife on a haveli-saving adventure—’Ammi Ki Boli’, and ‘Anwar Ka Ajab Kissa’. Her death on October 15, 2021, followed a long illness; ‘Mehrunisa’ was her last.
After a 2021 festival run, these screenings on Women’s Day affirm her legacy, urging society to dismantle outdated norms and celebrate women’s unyielding spirit.