An Affair To Remember- Indian Summer | Eyes Read It

Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru was a statesman and unlike most of his compatriot contemporaries had a very different image that resembled a Casanova. Why? He was stylish. He was sophisticated. He had a charismatic persona and he was a Lady’s Man. Well, in the light of Struggle of Freedom, a book “Indian Summer” probed more.

Alex von Tunzelmann’s book “Indian Summer: The Secret History Of The End Of An Empire” presented a romantic story of love blossoming between Nehru and Edwina Mountbatten, Lord Mountbatten’s better half. The book is woven around the relationships of Lord and Lady Mountbatten, Nehru, Gandhi and Jinnah; and how their relationships shaped the destiny of a nation divided into two countries. According to the writer, the love story can termed as the real life Casablanca.

Did the romance faded after the Independence? No. Even after the end of the empire, the bond didn’t faded. The relationship lasted till their last breaths. In 1960, when she died in UK, India’s parliament passed a condolence resolution. Moreover, government dispatched a wreath of Marigolds to be scattered into the waves of English Channel.

Production house- Universal Pictures has decided to bring the novel to the screen. According to the rumors, the Government of India has suggested that the production house will have to follow some ground rules in order to shoot in country. The rules states that nothing that can hamper the public image of Nehru can be shown on screen. Any scene showing them (Nehru-Edwina) kissing or in compromising state, holding hands in love or expressing love shall be strictly avoided. The sanctity of a friendly relation shall be maintained. The speculations are that Joe Wright, Director of Atonement and Pride & Prejudice will direct the saga with Hugh Grant as Lord Mountbatten, Cate Blanchett as Lady Mountbatten and Irrfan Khan as Nehru.

It will be interesting to see the movie on celluloid. However, in this country movies on demigods had suffered setbacks in past for going against social norms. With Congress being the main constituent of UPA, it will be interesting to see how much of the story is accepted and how much protests crops up.