A day after director Sanjana Reddy and producer Kona Venkat announced a biopic on Indian weightlifter Karnam Malleswari on the occasion of her 45th birthday, a source close to the project informs a leading publication that the makers are considering either Taapsee Pannu or Rakul Preet Singh to play the titular role in the film.
Though the makers are yet to approach both the actresses, it has been learned that they are planning to rope in one of them soon. Taapsee Pannu is most likely to bag the part, considering the fact that she is already doing a couple of sports films.
“Looking at the recent line-up of sports dramas Taapsee Pannu has been associated with, she appears to be the natural choice to reprise Malleswari’s role. The makers are also looking at approaching Rakul Preet Singh, who is always open to taking up fitness-based roles,” a source says.
The untitled film will be made in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi. It will be jointly produced by Kona Venkat and MVV Satyanarayana. Venkat will also double up as the writer of the biopic. The final cast and crew will be announced soon. The makers are looking at beginning production in the first half of 2021.
“This film is going to be an inspiration to the present generation. A poor girl from a remote village in Srikakulam district won the Bronze medal for India in Olympics. That is definitely a big story to narrate,” Venkat had earlier said in an interview.
Malleswari is the first and only Indian woman weightlifter to win an Olympic medal. At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, she won the bronze medal and made India proud.
Beets, bears, and brilliant chaos—Dwight Schrute was ready to make Schrute Farms the weirdest B&B on TVGetty Images 
Too fabulous to function—Jean-Ralphio was born to star in his own disaster-fuelled comedyGetty Images 
Omar - a prequel about his early days could’ve been HBO’s next gritty masterpieceGetty Images
Deadpan, dark, and delightful—April Ludgate’s FBI spin-off would’ve been everythingGetty Images
Sassy, spiritual, and full of secrets—Lafayette’s backstory was screaming for a supernatural seriesGetty Images
From Victorian poetry to vampire slaying, Spike’s centuries-long saga deserved its own spotlightGetty Images
Confidence, quirks, and questionable fashion—Schmidt’s next chapter could’ve been rom-com goldGetty Images
The villain we hated to love—Negan did get his spin-off, and it’s a bloody good oneGetty Images
Whimsical and wise—Luna’s magical adventures would’ve been a dreamy, otherworldly delightGetty Images
Chaotic queen energy—Gina’s influencer-era spin-off would’ve broken the internetGetty Images 
Drama unfolds as Cardi B calls out Offset for an affair with AriTheDon in explosive leaked messagesGetty Images 
Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh’s stunning £9.5 million sea-facing apartment in Mumbai nears completionGetty Images 
And the magician kisses a king cobra