Ma Anand Sheela and spiritual guru Osho were at the heart of global controversy in the 1980s, known for their provocative commune and a series of legal troubles.
Sheela’s bold persona still intrigues many, sparking interest in a possible biopic based on her life.
In a recent interview, Ma Anand Sheela, the former secretary of Osho, shared her thoughts on a potential film about her life and who she believes could portray her on screen.
The 75-year-old revealed that filmmaker Shakun Batra, known for Kapoor & Sons and Gehraiyaan, had once planned a commercial movie based on her life. However, the project was reportedly shelved due to a lack of funding.
During the conversation, Sheela mentioned that she had initially chosen Alia Bhatt to play her role, particularly after noticing a striking resemblance between the actress and her younger self.
She recalled watching a scene from one of Alia’s films and mentioning the similarity to her sister, who also agreed. Following this realization, Sheela said she had called Shakun Batra to share her thoughts.
Regarding Priyanka Chopra Jonas, who was previously rumoured to portray Sheela, she clarified that Chopra had publicly expressed interest in the role without consulting her beforehand.
Sheela stated that such decisions should involve conversation and consent, especially when going public with such announcements.
Although she had been unhappy at the time, she added that it no longer mattered, and Priyanka could also portray her if the film ever materialized.
If a film about Ma Anand Sheela is ever made, it’s bound to stir controversy given her past. It would be interesting to see which of the two actresses would be willing to take on a role that could be both powerful and potentially polarizing.