It’s still being scripted, but the film, 2G Radia-Tion— based on the 2G scam and the leaked tapes featuring lobbyist Niira Radia — is already flirting with controversy. In the poster of the film, actor Poonam Jhawer has been dressed to bear a striking similarity to Radia. The poster also features caricatures that bear a resemblance to business tycoons Ratan Tata and Mukesh Ambani, who figure in the leaked tapes.
The filmmakers, however, are not willing to be pinned down on this premise. “We are not scared of anyone. I don’t think Niira Radia should have a problem. The film is not her biography. It is based on the scam. As for the caricatures ... they are not the real person. It could be anyone,” says the film’s co-director Vijay Desai.
He explains that Jhawer’s look in the film was created by a stylist. “We showed her pictures of Niira and said that this is what her clothes should be like. But she got actual imitations,” says Desai.
Jhawer, who visited Marwah Studios in Delhi for an event recently, is excited about the film.”The story has so much masala, it just had to be made.” About her role as Radia, she says, “We are trying to do more research on her and her life. I have listened to her tapes carefully. I will try to emulate her.” Neither Radia nor the industrialists could be reached for comment.