M.F. Husain's Dream Film With Vidya, Anushka

Tomorrow, on September 17, M. F. Husain - iconic artist and experimental filmmaker - would have completed 100 years.

This was not to be. He passed away in 2011 in London, in the course of his exile from India, where he had been charged for showing religious disrespect to Hindu deities in some of his paintings.



Very few know that he wanted to start a film about women empowerment even during the last years of his life. Since his muse Madhuri Dixit had married and settled in Colorado at that time, he intended to commence the film with Vidya Balan and when she didn't show any interest, with Anushka Sharma. The artist had invited them on separate occasions, for a story narration to Dubai, but neither made it there, presumably fearing controversy.

Another fact which remains unknown is that Husain had spoken to some writers about penning a book on his muse, besides sending out word to Madhuri that he wished to shoot a documentary about her dancing and acting skills.



He did not make a feature film with her again after Gaja Gamini, since he could not cope with the demands of Madhuri's then-secretary Rakeshnath.

It is believed that Husain presented several priceless paintings to Madhuri, showing her in various avatars. She lucked out. So did Tabu, whom he gifted a canvas, when she acted in his Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities.

His wish to paint large canvases of Vidya and then Anushka went unrequited. Should we say that has been an irreparable loss for the two actresses?