By Hindustan Times
Bindu's iconic 'Mona Darling' act in Zanjeer in 1973 is now being taken over by Mahie Gill, who admits the role is challenging but says she's going to pull it off. Ajit had played the arch-villain Teja within the original; for the remake, Prakash Raj was roped in. Southern actor Ram Charan Teja, son of superstar Chiranjeevi, will step into Amitabh Bahchan's shoes to play the Angry Young Man.
"I was initially apprehensive about doing the part. I wondered if I'd be capable to carry it off. It was director Apoorva Lakhia who convinced me. Now I'm very excited. To recreate the unique vamp 'Mona Darling' of the 1970s for today's audience is a challenge. And most of my scenes are with Prakash Raj who's an excellent actor. I FEEL I WILL BE in a position to pull it off," said Mahie, who recently wowed audiences together with her bold avatar in Saheb, Biwi aur Gangster.
The culture of an overweight seductress went out with Bindu. While Bindu got away with slit dresses and body stockings in Zanjeer, Mahie, we're told, could be doing a little heavy duty lovemaking scenes with Prakash Raj and would also want to get into better shape for a bikini.
"We definitely want Mahie's Mona Darling to move beyond Binduji. If Binduji became synonymous with the nature within the 1970s, we wish people to shout 'Mona Darling' at Mahie when she steps out," said Amit Mehra, son of Prakash Mehra who had produced and directed the Amitabh Bachchan starrer Zanjeer. He was speaking on behalf of the film's producers - Reliance Entertainment, Adai Mehra Productions and Flying Turtle Films.
"Those times, when the primary Zanjeer was made, were different. Today, being sexy doesn't suggest performing a cabaret in a slit dress. Mahie must be seen performing more horizontal acts with Prakash Raj. And she'll definitely be seen a bikini," he added.
Both Mahie and Prakash Raj, who's rather bulky, was asked to shed kilos urgently.
Mahie's weight isn't the only thing that goes from Bindu's Mona Darling act. The sizzling Asha Bhosle number Diljalon ka dil jala ke has also been done away with. Mahie was apparently most keen to bounce to Bindu's number.
"We're doing a wholly new hip and slick club song for Mahie to bop to. With due respects to Helenji and Binduji, cabarets are not any longer part of popular nightclub culture," said Mehra.
