The trailer of Ajeeb Daastaans, the Hindi anthology film by Netflix, was released on Friday. The film will release on April 16.
The anthology film comprises four parts- Majnu, Geeli Pucchi, Ankahi, and Khilauna- are directed by Shashank Khaitan, Neeraj Ghaywan, Kayoze Irani, and Raj Mehta, respectively.
According to Netflix, the anthology’s four segments include a twisted tale of lovers, struggle for daily life, calculated friendship, and a journey to find solace. The film it explores jealousy, entitlement, prejudices, and toxicity, the streaming giant said.
Talking about Majnu, starring Fatima Sana Shaikh, Jaideep Ahlawat, and Armaan Ralhal, Khaitan said in a statement, “My film explores the dynamics of three characters, their interpersonal relationships and how they keep evolving with each scene. Jaideep, Fatima and Armaan’s characters all want love on their own terms and the space to express themselves but are trapped within the norms of society, much like a lot of people around us.”
Ghaywan, who won a National Award for his film Masaan, said that he had been toying with the idea of Geeli Pucchi while making Masaan. The title is the “connecting factor” in the story, he said. Featuring Konkana Sen Sharma and Aditi Rao Hydari, Geeli Pucchi is a lesbian love story, Ghaywan said.
“Geeli Pucchi explores the intersectional realities of two women from disparate worlds. They are both longing for an emotional connection which they end up finding in one another,” he said in a virtual press conference.
Talking about his directorial debut Ankahi, Irani said: “Ankahi is all about emotions, those that can be expressed and those that are left unsaid. What attracted me to the film was that communication doesn’t need to be verbal and a lot can be said without words.”
Irani, the son of actor Boman Irani made his acting debut with the 2012 film Student of the Year. Featuring Shefali Shah, Manav Kaul, and Tota Roy Chowdhury, Ankahi required Shah and Kaul to learn sign language.
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Mehta’s Khilauna, featuring Nushrratt Bharuccha, Abhishek Banerjee, and Inayat Verma, is about “imperfect characters”.
“It was made with the intention of bringing an unexpected storytelling experience to the audience. The story and the title itself, might have different interpretations for each viewer and that is what makes it exciting,” Mehta said.
Bharuccha, who plays a domestic maid in the segment, said that Mehta made her sweep her house to prepare for her character.
While Khilauna is written by Sumit Saxena, Geeli Pucchi and Ankahi will see Saxena collaborate with Ghaywan and Uzma Khan, respectively.
Ajeeb Daastaans is produced by Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta, Somen Mishra under the banner Dharmatic Entertainment, the digital extension of Johar’s Dharma Productions.