Kangna Ranaut will play Parveen Babi

Article Updated 19 December, 2005 04:33:40 AM IST

Kangna Ranaut will play Parveen Babi

18-year old Kangna Ranaut has developed a penchant for playing controversial characters, courtesy of the Bhatts. Having signed her to play Monica Bedi in Vishesh Films' 'Gangster', which is fast nearing completion, the Bhatt brothers (Mukesh and Mahesh) have now signed her to play Parveen Babi in Mohit Suri's directorial 'Awaarapan' (which was earlier titled 'Actress'). According to Suri, "'Awaarapan' will be Mahesh Bhatt telling Parveen Babi's story."

While Anurag Basu first set his eyes on Kangna when he bumped into her at the J. W. Marriott Hotel (hit list was the first to break the news about her selection), Suri's decision is no less an interesting story.

Kangna had auditioned for this film and Suri's assistants had rejected her. Suri happened to see the rushes of 'Gangster' and called Kangna. At this point in time, his assistant informed him that they had rejected her long back. Suri was shocked. "I asked my assistant if he was mad," he says with a laugh.

On why they're not going ahead with the title 'Actress', Suri explains, "The film is not about glamour. It's about a relationship. It's how a woman heads towards destruction because she has no destination in life. That's why we did a re-think and named it 'Awaarapan'."

Suri says that he wants to tell it through 'Awaarapan' that contrary to the belief that Mahesh Bhatt said goodbye to Parveen Babi when she started to lose her sanity, it was Babi who asked Bhatt to go away from her life. "Babi knew she was heading towards destruction," says the 'Zeher' and 'Kalyug' director.

The Bhatts had almost finalized their blue-eyed boy Emraan Hashmi for Mahesh Bhatt's role, but the reasonably good run of 'Kalyug' just might tilt the scales in Kunal Khemu's favour.

"Emraan will be fine, but lately, he has signed quite a few movies. I want someone who will be coming on board without any baggage of dates. Khemu has rocked in 'Kalyug'. Both the critics and the masses have appreciated him, which is no mere achievement. Let's see. If Emraan is not free, I may ask Khemu to do the job," says Suri.

'Gangster', being directed by Anurag Basu, is a triangle between a don-on-the-run (Shiny Ahuja), his girlfriend (Kangna) and another man (Emraan Hashmi). The film is largely based on Abu Salem and Monica Bedi's relationship.

After completing Monica Bedi's role 'Gangster' in January, Kangna will slip into the garb of Parveen Babi in 'Awaarapan' scheduled to start in February. The film will be shot in Mumbai, Goa, London and Dubai.

"I may show Kangna a bit of Parveen Babi from her old film cassettes, but not much. I don't want Kangna's originality and therefore vulnerability, which is vital to Babi's character, to be lost," the director winds up.

Kangna Ranaut began her education in Shimla, followed by Chandigarh. She did a bit of theatre in Delhi. After that, she came to Mumbai and started living with her aunt, in Juhu. 'Gangster' will be her debut film.

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