Shakeela, the biopic of an adult star, featuring Bollywood actress Richa Chadha in the title role, will have a theatrical release in multiple languages this Christmas
Shakeela, the biopic of an adult star, featuring Bollywood actress Richa Chadha in the title role, will have a theatrical release in multiple languages this Christmas, the makers announced on Monday. The film was supposed to release earlier this year but due to the Coronavirus pandemic the release date was postponed.Written and directed by Indrajit Lankesh, film also stars Pankaj Tripathi and Rajeev Pillai.
Inspired on the true story of superstar Shakeela, who was born in a conservative Muslim family, she began her career at the age of 16. Having worked in about 250 films and emerging as an adult star who soon began threatening the stardom of the biggest superstars in the South film industries in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
“I have known Shakeela since 2003 when I worked with her. Her rags-to-riches story caught my attention. I did some extensive personal interviews with her and came to know so much about the person that she is behind that image of a star. And I knew that it is only Richa who can nail the part. This film will help youngsters who aspire to be part of the film industry understand that there is more to be the overlying glitz and glamour,” said the Indrajit Lankesh, director of the film.
The film makers also released the poster of the movie where lead actor Richa Chadha is in a red saree with a gun in her hand. While in the background, there are allusion of her epithet of a box office queen, along with obscene words related to her skin colour, body and religious affiliation. The film aims to explore Shakeela’s world beyond her stardom and erotic image.
The Brief. Sign up to receive the top stories you need to know right now.