Jaanisaar

Jaanisaar marks the comeback of director Muzaffar Ali, who is known for his cult film Umrao Jaan (1981). The film was initially titled Raqs: The Dance Within, but was later changed to Jaanisaar. Muzaffar Ali said in an interview− "People would often ask me what 'Raqs' means, so I thought of calling the film something that was more familiar, like 'Jaanisaar'. There were also some problems with registering the name. 'Raqs' is already registered with a body, I wasn't aware of. So, we had to rename the film."[1] The film is produced by Ali's wife, Meera, and Arno Krimmer is the executive producer. Regarding the story-line, Ali commented− "I feel our own people need to learn certain parts of our history to become more responsible citizen. History is written into two ways -- written by conqueror and the other one is the human history. I felt this story has to be told. The country needs to know this story."

The film has been entirely shot in Uttar Pradesh, mostly in Lucknow Quaiserbagh Baradari.[1] Some scenes were filmed at the director's hometown, Kotwara (Lakhimpur-Kheri, U.P.) Ali remarked− "Jaanisaar is set in 20 years after Umrao Jaan, that is 1877. I always like to delve into the past to look at the future. I shot the film in our house." Birju Maharaj and Kumudini Lakhia have choreographed the dance sequences.[2]

The film has Pakistani actor Imran Abbas Naqvi, his second film in Bollywood, preceded by Creature 3D.[3] It also marks the debut of Pernia Qureshi, who is a notable fashion stylist and costume designer by profession. Regarding her appearance in the film, director Muzaffar Ali remarked, "Pernia is different. I needed a strong dancer and at the same time a fresh face. She really danced her life out into the film. She did a very good job of a revolutionary dancer."[4][5]