Touted to be his comeback, three decades after the evergreen Umrao Jaan (1981) with Rekha and Farooque Shaikh, veteran filmmaker Muzaffar Ali's latest period drama Jaanisaar marks the debut of fashion entrepreneur Pernia Qureshi and Imran Abbas.

Set 20 years after the first war of Indian Independence of 1857, this love story of a revolutionary courtesan (played by Pernia) of Avadh and a prince (Imran) brought up in England is also an attempt by the veteran director to bring back the essence of freedom and culture lost to us.

Calling it special, "for those who are not aware of our history," Ali says, "There's an instant connect of past and present for the youth. Once they see this film, they can design their future. India needs to feel pride in its freedom and its composite culture." Ask him why he's making a comeback after so long and that too, with a debutant heroine and a Pakistani actor, and the filmmaker says, "They were perfect for the roles and have grown into the film as their respective characters without any other image." He adds, "Jaanisaar is a lived slice of history and has no affectation of imposed design."

Pernia thanks Muzaffar and producer Meera Ali for her break. She says, "The film has a charming love story, stunning visuals, great music and an important message." Imran adds, "The whole process was like getting yourself trained in an academy. And working with Muzaffar sir is like getting a Master's degree."Jaanisaar, produced by Kotwara Studios, releases today.