'Mary Kom' director Omung Kumar, who is making a biopic on Sarabjit Singh, says he wants a bold actress to play the role of the slain Indian prisoner's sister Dalbir Kaur
Omung Kumar
'Mary Kom' director Omung Kumar, who is making a biopic on Sarabjit Singh, says he wants a bold actress to play the role of the slain Indian prisoner's sister Dalbir Kaur.
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Omung Kumar
Names of actresses like Sonakshi Sinha, Kangana Ranuat, Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra have cropped up in media for the role of Dalbir.
"I have not thought of any actress yet. We also have been hearing about lot of actresses being finalised for this project, but it is not true. We are looking for strong, bold, powerful, bindaas, fiery...feisty (actress).
"We are not focusing more on getting the physicality right...we are not looking to have a duplicate of Dalbir Kaur," Kumar told PTI in an interview here.
It was the struggle and journey of Dalbir Kaur that intrigued Kumar to give his nod for the biopic on Sarabjit.
"The story of Sarabjit Singh, his sister...her struggle for 23 years to get her brother out of jail was something that interested me. I read the story, saw videos and it just shocked...surprised me," Kumar said.
"A lady from small town made it possible to get her brother out of jail, but destiny had something else in store for him," he said.
Kumar, whose directorial debut "Mary Kom" won the National award for best popular film, had not planned to make yet another biopic.
"I had decided not to make a biopic film again after 'Mary Kom'. I am writing the story in my way. I also intend to meet the family possibly next week," he said.
Sarabjit was convicted of terrorism and spying by a Pakistani court and sentenced to death in 1991. His sister started a campaign for his release. Following to her efforts and that of the Indian government, Sarabjit's execution was indefinitely delayed. But, he was attacked in April 2013 in a Lahore jail and in May, was declared brain dead.
The film, which will be produced by writer-actor-turned-producer Zeishan Quadri, will go on floors in October this year and will be shot majorly in Punjab.