MUMBAI: Following reports that Deepika Padukone’s upcoming film with director Vishal Bhardwaj is based on one of Mumbai’s notorious mafia queen, Sapna Didi, the director took to Facebook to clarify details regarding the project and share more details on it.
In a Facebook post, Bhardwaj wrote, “I would like to clear that the film is still untitled and is not based on Rahima Khan/Sapna Didi’s life. Yes, it’s a takeoff from the story Femme Fatale from Hussain Zaidi’s book Mafia Queens of Mumbai but as we worked on this idea, the story and screenplay have taken on a new identity and shape which is nowhere close to the above-mentioned names. Hence, it’s definitely not a biopic.”
He further revealed that the film has been postponed by a few months considering that both his leads, Deepika and Irrfan Khan are facing health issues and he wants them both to be physically well before he can start working on the film as the roles are physically demanding.
“I am pushing back the film by a few months as both of my lead actors are down with different health problems. Irrfan is down with jaundice and it will take him a few weeks to recover and Deepika’s back problem which had previously developed during the shooting of Padmaavat has now resurfaced. Her role in the film is very physically demanding and the doctor has advised her not to do any strenuous work for a couple of months.”
However, he said that “Deepika and Irrfan’s look tests have come out exceptionally well, nothing like you’ve seen before, and it took me a moment to recognise them when I saw the test photographs.”
He signed off by revealing the name of his film’s characters which are Ustara and Afshan.
In an earlier interview, Deepika explained why she chose to play the part.
“I guess I’m drawn to strong characters. I am very excited to play this part. Like Padmaavat was a 13th century old story that even after so many years the power of women is visible to all today. We’re standing up for ourselves with dignity. I find her journey so relevant.”
“It is going to be similar to Vishal sir’s film. It is based on Sapna Didi, I don’t know what the title is at the moment. It is a true story. It is an incredible story, her transformation is amazing.”