Hyderabad, June 01: Sania Mirza isn’t happy about Hyderabadi Damaad , an upcoming low- budget Bollywood film. It is reportedly based on the controversy surrounding her marriage to Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik.
Slamming the film’s producer for drawing inspiration from her life for the script, Sania has stated that she is intrigued that the filmmaker didn’t bother to inform her.
The film’s heroine, starlet Debina Bonnerjee, who plays a character inspired by Sania, has assured that the tennis star need not be worried. “ The film is not a biographical piece of work on Sania. Hyderabadi Damaad will be adequately fictionalised,” Debina said. “ Whether it is Jawaharlal Nehru or Indira Gandhi, inspiration can come from anyone.
Since Sania is a star tennis player, she will inspire people. We are not going to depict Sania’s life exactly as it is on the screen.” Sania on her part is concerned that the film’s director might rely on information picked from inaccurate media coverage. “ I hope he makes it clear that the film in question is only a fictional account,” she has said.
While Debina said “ some cinematic liberties” will be taken, she felt Sania’s “ discomfort is understandable”. The actress added: “ I will only say that it’s just an inspiration and not merely copy.” While Debina has been cast as a hotshot tennis star modelled on Sania, other actors in the film’s cast include Amar Upadhyaya and Ali Merchant. The film is directed by Jaiprakash.
Neither Debina nor the director is ready to divulge the name of the actor who will play Shoaib Malik in the film. “ We will start shooting the film next month,” said Debina, who has already started working hard to get in shape for her role. “ I have lost weight that I had put on to play Sita in the Imagine TV serial Ramayan. Plus, I have hit the gym and am toning my body with horse- riding and kickboxing sessions,” Debina said.
The Bengali actress was initially reluctant to take up a role inspired by Sania but she says that she was impressed when she read the script. “ I have decided not to imitate Sania. I will bring my own perspective to the role,” she added.
A few days ago, Sania hit headlines after reports suggested that Sonam Kapoor’s character in Anees Bazmee’s next, Thank You , is inspired by her. In the film, also starring Akshay Kumar, Sonam plays a glamourous tennis star.
–Agencies