Confirmed: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan to star in Binodini Dasi biopic

A couple of days ago, we had informed our readers that acclaimed filmmaker Pradeep Sarkar, known for helming women-oriented films Parineeta (2005) and Mardaani (2014), was in talks with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan for his next directorial outing. Sarkar has now confirmed that the Devdas (2002) actress has been finalized to headline the project.

The untitled film is based on the life of courtesan-turned-theatre artist Binodini Dasi who hails from Kolkata. Pradeep Sarkar has been working on the subject for quite some time. With Aishwarya coming onboard to play Binodini Dasi, he is planning to begin production soon.

Earlier rumours were rife that Deepika Padukone and Vidya Balan were also approached for the biopic, but they could not take up the project for some reasons. Finally, the film went to Aishwarya Rai Bachchan who agreed to play the 19th-century Bengali courtesan.

Confirming the news, director Pradeep Sarkar told a publication that he always had Bachchan on her mind for the role of Binodini Dasi. “Aishwarya was always on my mind for the biopic. I did reach out to her a few months ago. In the first narration itself, she liked the story and has said ‘yes’ to the project. I seriously think that she will," said the filmmaker.

Speaking about Binodini Dasi, who was one of the first people in Kolkata to have aspired to be a producer, the director said, “What all she had to do to achieve her goal makes an interesting story. She faced a lot of ups and downs. People, who were close to her, took her for a ride. She has been cheated a lot. It’s a wonderful tale and I hope things fall into place.”

Meanwhile, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is currently busy with filmmaker Mani Ratnam's next magnum opus Ponniyin Selvan. The multi-starrer film is currently being shot in Thailand. It is being made in Tamil and Hindi. Reportedly, the actress plays a grey character in the forthcoming historical drama.