Ma Anand Sheela reveals why Alia Bhatt led biopic didn't happen; breaks silence on being upset with Priyanka Chopra - Read on

When biopics became the flavour of the season and every studio was eager to try their hand at the genre, one of the most intriguing personalities to be tapped for not just one but two projects in India was Ma Anand Sheela. Osho’s most trusted aide, Sheela has remained a widely discussed and controversial figure in recent years, leaving a lasting impression on anyone who’s read about her.

So, when her story began to garner mainstream attention, two biopics were announced—one to be directed by Shakun Batra starring Alia Bhatt, and another led by Priyanka Chopra Jonas. However, neither of these projects materialized, and Sheela has now opened up about what exactly went wrong.

Why the Alia Bhatt Project Didn't Take Off

For the unversed, a few years ago it was reported that Shakun Batra, who also directed the 2021 documentary Searching For Sheela, was planning a feature film based on Ma Anand Sheela’s life, with Alia Bhatt set to play the lead. But the film never moved beyond the early planning stage.

In a recent conversation with Pinkvilla, Ma Anand Sheela revealed that Batra's team was indeed in contact with her, and work had begun in full swing. However, the project fell through due to a lack of funding, which ultimately halted its progress and led to its cancellation.

Interestingly, Sheela also shared that after watching a few of Alia Bhatt's scenes, she was convinced the actress was a perfect match to portray her younger self, citing a strong physical resemblance.

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Ma Anand Sheela on Priyanka Chopra Jonas' Project

Sheela also addressed the biopic where Priyanka Chopra Jonas was set to portray her. Titled Sheela, the film was backed by Amazon Studios, directed by Barry Levinson, and written by Nick Yarborough.

However, Sheela expressed disappointment over how the project was handled, revealing that Priyanka had never reached out to seek her permission before publicly announcing the movie. This, understandably, left her hurt at the time.

She said: “No, she (Priyanka Chopra Jonas) announced she wanted to play the part of Sheela, but she had not asked me. That was the problem and I wasn’t happy. One should ask, ‘How do you feel about it? I am going public with this news, do you agree or accept?’ But today, I can tell you, it doesn’t matter, Priyanka (Chopra) can also play my part.”

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Now, half a decade later, Sheela says she’s at peace with the idea and has no issues with Priyanka portraying her on screen.

Stay tuned to OTTplay for more updates on this and everything else from the world of streaming and films.-