Mumbai: Deepika Padukone, who will be seen
as gangster Sapna Didi in her next film, says the "incredible"
story of the lady don encouraged her to take up the project.
After portraying the role of Rani Padmavati in
"Padmaavat", Deepika will portray the mafia queen in
Vishal Bhardwaj's next directorial venture.
"I guess I am 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 are standing up for ourselves with
dignity. I find her journey so relevant.
"It is going to be similar with 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," Padukone said in a media
interaction here.
The movie is based on the life and times of Ashraf
Khan, popularly known as Sapna Didi, who was a feared name in
the underworld.
According to media reports, Khan was married to a man
who worked under don Dawood Ibrahim. Apparently, after Dawood
got her husband killed in a police encounter, she decided to
avenge his death.
Khan joined hands with Hussaid Ustara, a man who hated
Dawood, and also had a short stint as a police informer to
bring him down.
She reportedly hatched a plan to kill Dawood at the
Sharjah Cricket Stadium, but it turned out that the notorious
underworld don had ordered that she be murdered in the most
brutal manner.
Produced by Prernaa Arora's Kriarj Entertainment, the
film is an adaptation of S Hussain Zaidi's book "Mafia Queens
of Mumbai".
Deepika said she is elated to start working on the film,
which also features her "Piku" co-star Irrfan Khan.
"I would soon start prep work on Vishal sir's film.
Workshops are planned and physical prep work also needs to be
done," she added.
The shooting for the film is expected to start from
next month in Nepal.
The movie is set to hit the theatres by year end.
PTI
