‘Shakeela was a box-office queen in south India with her adult films in 1980s. But she faced several trials and tribulations in her journey. Our biopic on her throws light on her emotional side’, says associate producer of Shakeela, Sandeep Malani.The movie stars Richa Chacha in the title role. Produced by Saravana Prasad and Sammy Nawani (Innovative Film Academy and Magic Cinemas), it is directed by Indrajit Lankesh.
Speaking to News Today, Sandeep Malini, says, ‘Shakeela’s films were all SEXCESSFUL, but we have ensured her biopic to be SUCCESSFUL’.
‘Shakeela was so popular that even movies of big heroes in Malayalam cinema didn’t do well when released along with hers. But people never knew what her real life was. Hence we thought it is appropriate to do a movie based on her life’, he says.
Her family disowned her, the film industry banned her. Yet she scaled heights, says Sandeep Malani.
‘A secret which many did not know is that she had never did intimate scenes. There was a body double for her’, he says and adds, ‘Her biopic will bring to light all unknown facts about her’.
Shakeela wrote a book about her life. Reading it, Indrajit Lankesh was impressed and approached her to get permission to make it as a movie. Convinced by the idea, she readily agreed. She narrated a lot of things to us. From day one of the movie’s inception, myself and Lankesh were with her. We finished the script with her inputs. But when approached lots of actresses refused. Finally came Richa Chadha, impressed by the story and script’.
‘Shakeela visited our shooting spot. She was informed of what we were shooting. Remember Silk Smitha and Shakeela acted in a movie together. Silk’s downfall started with Shakeela’s rise. Silk even slapped her once. All these find a place in the movie’, says Sandeep Malani.
Richa was particular that she wanted to meet Shakeela. She spent a long time with her. Studied her body language, learnt from her the problems she faced. Richa had put more weight for the role as Shakeela was plumpy, he adds.
The movie has come good and when it hits the screen on 25 December, we are sure audience will lap it up, says Sandeep Malini.