Kamna Chandra Reflects on a Legendary Career in Hindi Cinema
Veteran screenwriter Kamna Chandra recently opened up about her remarkable journey spanning over four decades. In an exclusive conversation, she delved into her experiences working with iconic filmmakers like Raj Kapoor and Yash Chopra. She also shared candid thoughts on where Sanjay Leela Bhansali's adaptation of Devdas missed the mark.
Breaking into Bollywood Without Connections
Kamna Chandra entered the film industry in the early 1980s, a time when few women wrote scripts for Hindi movies. She had no family ties to Bollywood. Her path began with writing for magazines, radio, and television in Delhi. A move to Mumbai with her husband sparked her ambition to try film writing.
She took a bold step by looking up Raj Kapoor's number in a phone directory. Calling RK Studios led to a life-changing opportunity. Raj Kapoor's secretary arranged a meeting, and within a week, she got a callback. This initiated her debut with Prem Rog in 1982.
Working with Raj Kapoor on Prem Rog
Raj Kapoor treated Kamna with immense respect from their first meeting. He guided her through the process and even helped register her story with the screenwriters association. This act prevented any potential misuse of her work.
During production, Kamna moved to Hong Kong due to her husband's job transfer. Raj Kapoor invited her back to watch the film's reels. Upon returning to India, she saw posters with her name prominently displayed alongside the director and music composer.
"He gave me so much respect, I can't even tell you," Kamna recalled. The film became a success and earned her a Best Story nomination.
The Success of Chandni with Yash Chopra
After Prem Rog, Yash Chopra approached Kamna for Chandni. He liked her story immediately. They worked together to refine the plot, shifting the hero-heroine meeting from a college setting to a wedding scenario.
Yash Chopra's casting choices, including Sridevi and Rishi Kapoor, elevated the film. Kamna noted that Yash ji made her story even better for the big screen. Chandni turned into a massive hit, cementing her reputation in the industry.
Collaborating with Vidhu Vinod Chopra on 1942: A Love Story
Kamna's daughter Anupama Chopra recommended she work with director Vidhu Vinod Chopra. This led to co-writing 1942: A Love Story. The process was challenging but rewarding.
Vinod pushed her creatively, often asking for revisions. Kamna translated Shakespearean scenes into Hindi verse for the film. Although some parts were cut, she appreciated his focus on keeping the film concise.
Views on Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Devdas
Kamna expressed disappointment with Bhansali's 2002 film Devdas. She felt the story changed too much from Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's original novel.
"It became very glamorous," she said. Key elements were altered, such as having Paro and Chandramukhi dance together, which never happened in the book. Kamna suggested the film might have been received differently with a different title.
Legacy and Future Hopes
Kamna Chandra paved the way for other women screenwriters like Honey Irani and Juhi Chaturvedi. She remains content with her six films but holds onto a few unpublished stories.
"If my seventh film gets made within my lifetime, I'll be very happy," she shared, noting that seven is her lucky number. Her journey highlights passion, resilience, and a deep love for storytelling in Hindi cinema.
