July 1: The fluffy cream scribble on the four-kilo celebratory chocolate confectionery -- `Welcome back Jayaji' -- at the mahurat of Hazaar chaurasi ki ma seemed wicked indeed, as the veteran actress repeatedly denied that this was her comeback venture. ``I have never been away really,'' said she, wiping her sweaty face with the edges of an off-white and blue cotton tangail saree. ``It's just that I have been waiting for interesting films.''

``A film should make sense in totality on the basis of strong characterisation, rather than resting on one dynamic character,'' said the actress.

``Consider Sholay for instance. It was such a tiny role for me in the larger scheme of things in the film. But it was also possibly the meatiest of roles that I had in the past.'' Jaya Bachchan was cast on celluloid over 15 years ago by Yash Chopra, in Silsila, a film which was said to have been based on the Bachchans' personal lives.

Earlier today, at the Raj Kamal Studios, her husband Amitabh Bachchan gave the mahurat clap in the presence of a smattering of Bollywood walahs, that included, apart from the director, screenplay writer and cinematographer Govind Nihalani, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, JP Dutta, Naseeruddin Shah and Abhishek Bachchan and novelist Vikram Chandra.

About her role in the film, she said that apart from being a sensitive character, it explores relationships at several levels, between mother and daughter and mother and son. ``This is something that all women will identify with. For despite the progress of mankind the woman's lot hasn't changed at all,'' said she.

Incidentally, Nihalani thought she would suit the character of the original Mahashweta Devi noveleof the same name in Bengali for her restraint and vulnerability.

Between Mahanagar and Guddi and now, that is between '64 and '97, she says she has enjoyed her tenure in the industry. Nihalani first read the novel over 20 years ago and felt that he was not equipped for a film yet. ``That is until recently, when I happened to flip through an English translation of the novel recently and thought that only Jaya would fit the lead role,'' says Nihalani.

Drawn from the '70s Naxalite movement, the novelist's underlying comment was that although the movement did not succeed in urban India, it inspired the educated and well-off middle class into joining the movement. It made a lasting impression on the minds of Indians, even though the movement might have declined since.

``Apart from history, the novel also operates on an emotional level, while exploring the relationship of a submissive and traditional woman with her husband, son and rest of the family,'' explains the director.

The film begins with the mother discovering her son after his death, which is when she goes about establishing ties with the people he was associated with, following which she goes through a transformation by becoming more politically conscious and active and resists any form of oppression and domination. ``Devi's is a complex novel with long narrative passages and moving back and forth in time,'' says Nihalani.

``But the non-linear narrative became a strength with me and both of us together worked on some scenes .'' The film will be ready for release in less than two months. ``Since most actors here are not pressed for time, the continuity of their performance will enhance the roles they play,'' says he.

Others in the film are Joy Sengupta, Nandita Das, Anupam Kher, Seema Biswas, Bhakti Bharve and Milind Gunaji.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.