Sampat Pal, who heads a group of women vigilantes called Gulabi Gang in the Banda district of Uttar Pradesh, is part of this season’s Bigg Boss. Even before the show has gone on air, the activist, who has been fighting domestic abuse, decided to attract a fair bit of controversy. She has lashed out at Madhuri Dixit Nene, who is set to play her character in a forthcoming film.

“Madhuri is doing it wrong. She should have taken permission from me before she decided to do the film,” says Pal, on whom the film Gulab Gang is based. Produced by Anubhav Sinha and directed by Soumik Sen, the film is set to go on the floors this month. 

The 62-year-old activist further added that Madhuri will not be able to portray the character correctly as neither she nor the makers have any background knowledge. “Madhuri can’t do justice to the role. None of them (from the film’s team) have ever called me. Madhuri should have come to my home, stayed with me and met my cadres. She doesn’t know how I work. They can’t cash in on our struggles. If my name comes in the film, I will not let them get away easily,” she says.

Meanwhile, Pal says she likes Bigg Boss host Salman Khan’s earlier films. “I like Hum Aapke Hain Koun…! (1994) a lot. He looked fabulous in his ’20s.” She adds, “I’ll try to change Salman. I’ll try to persuade him to make films not just for entertainment, but do films with stronger women rolee.”