If all goes well, Vishesh Films may soon start work on a bio-pic on the life of Pakistan's slain political leader, Benazir Bhutto. The buzz in tinsel town is that Mahesh and Mukesh Bhatt, have been offered the coveted project.
Confirming the news, Mukesh Bhatt said, "Yes, the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) has approached us with the idea. The party members connect with our sensibilities and trust us to do justice to the persona of Benazir Bhutto."
Bhatt attributes their close association with the Pakistan film industry, "with Awarapan being the first Indian film to be released across the border simultaneously", as the reason for the project landing at their doorstep.
Co-production Vishesh Films will make the movie in association with a Pakistan-based production company. Bhatt informs that PPP would like the film to cover Ms Bhutto's life from her childhood days to her assassination.
"It will require extensive research. We'll need to interact with several different people who knew Benezir very closely on a one-to-one basis," he points out. Authenticity is must He admits that details about how to go about co-production are still being worked oout, but concedes that the cast and crew will comprise of both Indians and Pakistanis.
"First we have to finalise the deal, then start work on the research. Once the script is through, will we start shortlisting actors for the various parts. Casting is very important in a movie like this," he acknowledges.
{{/usCountry}}"First we have to finalise the deal, then start work on the research. Once the script is through, will we start shortlisting actors for the various parts. Casting is very important in a movie like this," he acknowledges.
{{/usCountry}}Casting wish list
On being asked if they would consider Shabana Azmi who has expressed a wish to portray the slain Pakistani leader, Bhatt quips, "We're not sure. We'll start thinking about the casting only after the final draft of the script is approved. It's early days yet," he reiterates.