Now a film on Panchamda

A new film, RD, is said to be Rahul Dev Burman's biopic
Yesterday was the 72nd birth anniversary of legendary music composer Rahul Dev Burman, popularly known as Panchamda.

Coincidentally, Eros International recently registered the title RD with the Association of Motion Pictures and Television Programme Producers (AMTPP). Sources say that the movie is inspired by the life of the late artist.

Changing names
A well-placed source divulged the movie is being scripted and will be helmed by Soumik Sen, who has penned the Kishore Kumar biopic that Anurag Basu is directing with Ranbir Kapoor.

Also, the names of the characters in the film will be altered to avoid any controversy. "Because there are a number of episodes during the course of the screenplay that could generate controversy," explained our source.

Apparently, a considerable number of Panchamda's compositions will be incorporated in the film. SaReGaMa has the rights to most of them and Eros has expressed an interest in acquiring them.

"The producers are contemplating 12 to 15 tracks created by Panchamda. So while eight-ten songs will be originals, four-five tracks will be re-created," our source said.

Fictional take
When contacted, Sen confirmed saying, "I've been told to develop a script on the protagonist who's a very talented music composer. It's too early to say anything more.

Except that it is a completely fictional take."

Apurva Nagpal, managing director, SaReGaMa remained non-committal, saying, "Eros has spoken to us about their film called RD. It's way to early to speak anything on the subject."

Nonetheless, the source confirmed the story and said, "When the film is complete and will be screened, people who have been in the industry for long will be able to recognise the instances and references instantly."

Private Stuff
The film, apparently, will also cover certain little known personal incidents.