'Happy Bhaag Jayegi' helmer's next is a biopic on poet Batalvi

Mumbai: Director Mudassar Aziz, who is awaiting the release of "Happy Bhaag Jayegi", hopes to direct a biopic on late legendary poet Shiv Kumar Batalvi.

Shiv Kumar Batalvi was a Punjabi language poet, who was known for his romantic poetry. He became the youngest recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1967, given by Sahitya Akademi. He died at the age of 36 due to health issues.

Several of his poems have been adapted for movies. "Ajj Din Chhadeya Tere Rang Varga," penned by him was adapted in Saif Ali Khan-Deepika Padukone starrer "Love Aaj Kal" and it became an instant hit. 'Ek Kudi', another poem by Batalvi, was recently used in "Udta Punjab".

"It's an incredible story and I have been working on the story for two years now. We are almost ready. Creating the life of a legend like Batalvi on screen is not easy. We have taken some creative liberties while working on this film," Mudassar told PTI.

The casting for the film is yet to be finalised, he said.

Besides this biopic, Mudassar also has plans to make a comedy film.

"Happy Bhag Jayegi", starring Diana Penty, Abhay Deol, Jimmy Shergill and Ali Fazal, is slated to release on August 19.