Biopics are the rage in Bollywood these days. There are films made on popular figures like politicians, sportspersons, social reformers and even questionable characters like gangsters and smugglers. However, we believe that there are many exemplary Indian women who should be credited with a film on their life story so that more and more people come to know about their greatness.
On International Women’s Day today, here is a list of few inspiring Indian women who must be credited with a biopic and the best fit actress to essay their role and breathe character into the film.
Indira Gandhi - Alia Bhatt
[caption id="attachment_225267" align="aligncenter" width="647"] Indira Gandhi and Alia Bhatt[/caption]
India’s first and only woman Prime Minister was a force to be reckoned with. She was an Iron Lady who was an enigma and an icon. To play the role of Indira, we believe Alia Bhatt will be a great choice as she can bring the grace, elegance, determination, grit, and poise to the role.
Kalpana Chawla - Priyanka Chopra
[caption id="attachment_62957" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Priyanka Chopra and Kalpana Chawla[/caption]
Kalpana Chawla is India’s most revered daughter. She was an American astronaut and engineer, and the first female of Indian origin to go to space. She first flew into space on Space Shuttle Columbia in 1997 as a mission specialist and primary robotic arm operator. However, in 2003, Kalpana was one of the seven crew members who died in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster when the spacecraft disintegrated during re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere. Priyanka Chopra is the best bet to play Kalpana as only she can bring the confidence and intelligence required for the role. The actress donning the space suit and issuing orders while on a space shuttle will be a sight to behold and we’re sure PeeCee par excellence will do a great job.
Indra Nooyi - Sara Ali Khan
[caption id="attachment_225268" align="aligncenter" width="647"] Indra Nooyi and Sara Ali Khan[/caption]
Indra Nooyi is an Indian American business executive who served as the CEO of PepsiCo. She became the CEO in 2001 and subsequently was named President and CEO in 2006. She, later on, stepped down from her coveted post in 2018. She has consistently ranked among the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women. We see newbie Sara Ali Khan as one of the best fit to play the role of the charismatic business leader as she will bring the spunk, spontaneity and charisma to the role. Since Sara is also highly educated we’re sure she will be able to pull off the role of Nooyi with alacrity.
Sridevi - Janhvi Kapoor
[caption id="attachment_170604" align="aligncenter" width="647"] File photo of Sridevi and Janhvi.[/caption]
Sridevi was India’s first and probably the only female superstar. She was one of those few actresses who could pull off any role and bring box office success on their own merit. She did not require a strong male lead in her films and gave most of the top actors during her time a tough competition. To essay her role in the biopic we believe that we do not have to look further than her equally talented daughter, Janhvi Kapoor. Janhvi impressed with her debut film Dhadak that released last year and she will be an apt choice to play the role of her mother in her biopic.
Ekta Kapoor - Vidya Balan
[caption id="attachment_225269" align="aligncenter" width="647"] Ekta Kapoor and Vidya Balan[/caption]
Television czarina Ekta Kapoor is another woman who must have a film dedicated to her. She reinvented Indian television and brought the housewives as the main lead in her soap operas. Interestingly, Vidya Balan who made her TV debut in Ekta’s first production Hum Paanch will be an apt choice to play the Balaji Telefilms head-honcho. Vidya will bring the authority, gravity and spark needed to portray Ekta on the big screen.
Smriti Irani - Bhumi Pednekar
[caption id="attachment_225270" align="aligncenter" width="647"] Smriti Irani and Bhumi Pednekar[/caption]
Indian television’s favourite bahu who also became India’s favourite politician also deserves a biopic of her own. Smriti Irani is still remembered for essaying the role of Tulsi Virani in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. Bhumi Pednekar will be the best choice to play Smriti as she will do justice to the articulate Union Minister who also has a terrific sense of humour.
Madhubala - Deepika Padukone
[caption id="attachment_225271" align="aligncenter" width="647"] Madhubala and Deepika Padukone[/caption]
The iconic Madhubala deserves a biopic, period. She is the epitome of grace and beauty and we can think of none-other-than Deepika Padukone to essay her on the big screen. Only Deepika can do justice to the actress who had mesmerized an entire country with her million-dollar smile. Bringing Madhubala’s tragic life on the celluloid will definitely be a great cinematic experience for every movie buff.
Rekha - Kangana Ranaut
[caption id="attachment_196706" align="aligncenter" width="600"] File Photo of Kangana Ranaut and Rekha[/caption]
Rekha recently said that if she had a daughter she would have been like Kangana. The veteran actress is mighty fond of Kangana and sees her reflection in her. So to essay the role of Rekha in her biopic we believe Kangana would be the best choice. Kangana is resilient, gritty, determined, a great actor and has a devil-may-care-attitude just like Rekha which makes her the best choice to play the lead role.
Nirmala Sitharaman - Sonam Kapoor
[caption id="attachment_225272" align="aligncenter" width="647"] Nirmala Sitharaman and Sonam Kapoor[/caption]
Our cool and calm Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman deserves a biopic on her own merit and the best actress to play her is Sonam Kapoor. Sonam will make a great Nirmala as both look demure, coy and shy but have an innate inner strength, resilience and determination that are needed to head the Armed Forces and call the shots in do-or-die situations. Both are intelligent and have an innate sense of authority and gravity needed to tide over tricky and difficult situations.
Priyanka Chopa - Only PeeCee can play PeeCee
[caption id="attachment_224610" align="aligncenter" width="647"] Priyanka Chopra[/caption]
Now this one is the easiest of the lot. Priyanka Chopra is a global icon who is everyday inching closer to global domination. The former Miss World is intelligent, beautiful, loving, caring, well-spoken and a terrific businesswoman. Nobody can play the role of Priyanka Chopra in her biopic other than herself. None of the other current crop of actresses can even hold a candle to her. She has done what no one can even come close to achieving. She became a full-blown Hollywood actress calling the shots in Hollywood and not relegated to another Indian brown actor category. She owned her dark skin, her accent and her Indianness and proved to the world that there is no one like her. A UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador she also proved that she does not need the backing of a Khan or a Kumar to attain great heights in her career and play second fiddle to anyone. She might have weathered many storms in Bollywood and ruffled quite a few feathers along the way but she has always managed to emerge victoriously. Hence Priyanka can only play the role of Priyanka, there is just no one like our desi girl.