In a new interview, Ma Anand Sheela shared why she wasn't happy when Priyanka Chopra wanted to play her role in a film. Here's what she said.
Ma Anand Sheela has long been a controversial figure in pop culture. The world became interested in her after the Emmy-winning Netflix documentary, Wild Wild Country, shed light on her life. It showed her as a fierce figure and blunt spokesperson of the Rajneesh movement, showcasing how she played a significant role in building the commune of Rajneeshpuram. Since then, there have been discussions that her life's story might turn into a biopic. Shakun Batra and Priyanka Chopra showed interest in the same, but neither came true. In a recent interview, Ma Anand revealed why her biopic wasn't made and why she was upset with Priyanka.
Ma Anand Sheela recently sat down for an interview with Pinkvilla and opened up about the status of her biopic, which Shakun Batra announced. She shared that he approached her and was planning to make a film on her. But, they were not able to find financiers for it. At the same time, Ma Sheela mentioned that she had chosen Alia Bhatt to play her role. In her words:
"Shakun Batra was going to make a film on me but it has not happened because of the financing. They cannot find financiers for it. Before, I had chosen Alia, and now there is no money in it, so I don't know."
In 2019, Ma Anand Sheela's biopic also became a controversial issue because Priyanka Chopra announced that she would play her role in a film based on her life. But, Ma Sheela expressed her disapproval of the same in the media. Recalling the incident, she explained that she wasn't happy with Priyanka playing her part because she didn't approach or consult her about it. Sharing how she is okay with Priyanka playing her role now, Ma Anand Sheela said:
"She announced she wanted to play the Sheela part, but she had not asked me. That was the problem, and I wasn't happy. One should ask before making public announcements. They need to get approval. Today, it doesn't matter, Priyanka can play my part".
In the same conversation, Ma Anand Sheela revealed that she didn't choose between Alia and Priyanka based on their acting skills or any such measure. Rather, she felt Alia Bhatt looked similar to her when she was young, so she wanted Alia to play her part. Explaining her feelings, Ma Anand Sheela said:
"I have never seen Bollywood films. I have not seen Priyanka's work. I have watched one of Alia Bhatt's films because of my sister, and when I looked at her, I was surprised. I said, 'She looks like me when I was young.' Then I called Shakun and asked him if this was possible. I don't even know which film it was."
Ma Anand Sheela came into the spotlight because she was the personal secretary of Osho (Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh). They were the key figures behind the controversial Rajneeshpuram commune in the US in the '70s and '80s. She was admired for being loyal to Osho. Still, she was accused of being manipulative and got convicted for trying to spread salmonella in a neighbouring city with her followers in the first and largest bioterrorist attack in US history. After prison, she went to Switzerland and changed her life by working for people with disabilities. Consequently, her contrasting journey has interested filmmakers and actors for years now.
Ma Anand Sheela has been an important figure in the pop culture and it remains to see if any filmamker decides to make a film on her life!
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