The
primary
challenge
of
a
period
drama
is
to
nail
the
look
of
it.
But
in
the
hands
of
a
National
Award-winning
maverick
like
Ketan
Mehta,
who
is
known
for
the
authenticity
of
the
cinematic
universes
he
creates,
one
can
only
expect
magic.
The
filmmaker
is
currently
developing
the
biopic
of
his
aunt-
freedom
fighter
Usha
Mehta.
Even
as
the
final
draft
of
the
story
is
being
worked
upon,
the
filmmaker
and
his
team
have
simultaneously
started
working
on
the
recreation
of
the
era.
Unfazed
by
the
fact
that
Dharma
Productions,
too,
is
developing
a
story
on
the
same
subject,
Mehta
and
company
are
viewing
the
film
as
a
personal
story
of
the
gritty
Usha
told
from
an
intimate
place.
A
source
informs,
"Mehta's
team
has
reached
out
to
well-known
art
directors
who
have
a
sound
knowledge
of
the
era.
A
team
of
historians
are
vetting
everything
to
ensure
that
the
period
is
holistically
depicted.
The
pre-independence
era
is
vast
and
things
were
changing
year
on
year
due
to
the
socio-political
changes.
From
the
fabrics
that
will
be
used
to
the
articles
placed,
the
team
has
already
begun
the
process
of
world-building.
The
1920s,
1930s
and
1940s
which
are
the
decades
that
capture
maximum
screen
time
has
to
be
rendered
with
detailing.
A
large
part
of
the
action
will
be
set
in
old
Bombay
for
which
the
crew
has
kickstarted
their
recces.
The
film
will
be
mounted
on
a
lavish
budget
and
will
be
shot
in
sets
recreating
the
period
as
well
as
multiple
real
locations.
It
will
also
have
a
fair
share
of
VFX
work
to
support
the
grandeur."
Known
for
his
nuanced
storytelling,
the
film
has
a
host
of
the
industry's
most
proficient
technicians
on
board.
For
Mehta,
the
film
is
a
tribute
to
his
late
aunt.
The
source
adds,
"Ketan
sir
has
a
lot
of
first-hand
anecdotes
from
his
aunt
and
many
personal
items,
notes
and
diaries
which
we
are
referencing
from."
While
the
casting
is
yet
to
be
locked,
it's
rumoured
that
Mehta
is
keen
to
get
either
Taapsee
Pannu
or
Bhumi
Pednekar
to
play
Usha.