Jaya Bachchan`s birthday gift - a movie launch

Mumbai, April 08: Jaya Bachchan turns 61 Thursday and director Revathy Varma has decided to prepone the launch of her women-centric film "Chaassni" by a month to coincide with his lead actress` special day."Yes, we`ve quickened the process of starting the film. April 9 is a very auspicious day," Varma told reporters.

"And my film is about honouring and giving a respectable place to the aged in our society. So what better proof of the film`s intentions than to dedicate it to Jayaji`s 61st birthday?" The pre-ponement has been quick and sudden and Raveena Tandon, who plays a pivotal role, is totally taken aback. "I thought the shooting was supposed to start in May! This is the first time I`m hearing about the April 9 shoot. But I`m happy. We`re all fans of Jayaji. And the film is about making her character happy," said Raveena. Added Varma: "We`re doing just a brief shooting on April 9. Then we have a detailed schedule." Varma entered filmmaking with the Tamil version of "Chaassni". Titled "June R", it was based on the director`s own life. "I adopted a mother from a foster-home. She`s no more. But the love she gave me has given birth to Jayaji`s character in the film," said Varma. Varma is planning it as a full-on commercial film with songs composed by Salim-Suleiman. "They can give a contemporary feel to the project," she said. Tamil actress Saritha had played the pivotal role in the original. "The Hindi version will be radically different from the Tamil. I`ve just taken the core of my Tamil film and re-written it completely in Hindi," said Varma. Ayesha Takia plays Jaya`s daughter in the Hindi version. The senior actress` on-screen chemistry with actresses who have played her daughters - Karisma Kapoor in "Fiza" and Preity Zinta in "Kal Ho Naa Ho" - has always been extra special. She now looks forward to getting motherly with the newly-married Ayesha. IANS