Baby and Kobbari Matta fame director Sai Rajesh has expressed interest in making a biopic on actress Shakeela. He recently spoke about the idea in an interview, bringing attention to the life of an actress who once enjoyed enormous popularity across South Indian cinema.
Shakeela was a huge name in the industry, particularly in Malayalam cinema, where her stardom was bigger than that of many Tier-1 heroes. Her films had such a strong market that other producers were careful about scheduling their releases around hers. She became hugely popular through her sexualized roles.
Sai Rajesh got an opportunity to observe Shakeela closely during the making of his film Kobbari Matta. He said he initially saw her as an ordinary artist. However, learning about the massive stardom she had enjoyed in the past left him surprised.
What caught his attention even more was the contrast between her past and present life. An actress who once had fame, money and a huge fan following is now leading a much simpler life. This change made him think about how quickly fortunes can change in the film industry.
Shakeela’s journey has several aspects that could make an interesting biopic. Beyond her film career and popularity, her personal experiences and struggles could offer a deeper picture of her life.
However, a biopic on Shakeela has already been made. Titled Shakeela, the 2020 film was written and directed by Indrajit Lankesh. It starred Richa Chadha as the adult film star who became popular in the 1990s. The film turned out to be a box-office disaster. So, it remains to be seen what new perspective Sai Rajesh will bring to his version.
There is no official confirmation from Sai Rajesh about the project’s start date, producer or the actress who might play Shakeela on screen.
