Biopic on renowned personalities has always been a fascinating topic for filmmakers. Be it a political figure or a sports personality, the audience is attracted to watch their journey to success on the big screen. Now, as Indian weightlifter Karnam Malleswari turned 45 on Monday, her biopic was announced on social media. The yet-to-be-titled multilingual pan-India film will be directed by Sanjana Reddy and jointly produced by Kona Film Corporation and MVV Satyanarayana. Kona Venkat will be serving as the writer of the biopic too. The makers of Karnam Malleswari biopic made the announcement along with a poster that read, 'journey of a girl who lifted the nation'.
"On her birthday today, we proudly announce our next, a biopic on @kmmalleswari, FIRST Indian woman to win a medal at Olympics. A multilingual PAN Indian movie!," the makers wrote while announcing the film.
On her birthday today, we proudly announce our next, a biopic on @kmmalleswari, FIRST Indian woman to win a medal at Olympics. A multilingual PAN Indian movie! #HBDKarnamMalleswari
by @konavenkat99
by @sanjanareddyd
by @MVVCinema_ & @KonaFilmCorp.#MVVSatyanarayana pic.twitter.com/W2qsBft9iL— KonaFilmCorporation (@KonaFilmCorp) June 1, 2020
Soon after the announcement was made, the report of a leading daily indicated that Taapsee Pannu and Rakul Preet Singh are being considered for the lead role. Taapsee and Rakul, who are active in films down South, are leading the race. "Taapsee Pannu has already done several sports-dramas and pulled off the roles quite effectively. While she appears to be a natural choice to play the iconic weightlifter, the makers are also contemplating on Rakul Preet Singh, who is always interested in taking up fitness-based roles," a source close to the development told the daily.
Hailing from Voosavanipeta near Amadalavalasa in Andhra Pradesh, Karnam Malleswari started her career at the age of 12 under the guidance of Neelamshetty Appanna. In 1994, Malleswari was honoured with the Arjuna Award. In 1995, she was awarded the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna and was conferred with Padma Shri in 1999. At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Malleswari became the first Indian woman weightlifter to win a medal. She won the bronze medal for lifting 110 kg in the 'snatch' and 130 kg in the 'clean and jerk' categories.
(Source: Twitter/New Indian Express)