Urvashi Rautela Announced New Film, To Play Parveen Babi In Biopic

Miss Universe titled model and actor Urvashi Rautela announced her role as Parveen Babi in the late actor's biopic. She took to Instagram to share the news of her venture. Sanam Re actor already started prepping for her new project.

Parveen Babi was a controversial actor in Bollywood and one of the highest-paying actors of the 1970s. Not only she has given some of the biggest hits but also was the first ever Indian to be on the cover of Times Magazine.

Urvashi Rautela's announcement: 

Rautela shared the short clip of the front page of the script of the film with the caption - "Bollywood Failed #ParveenBabi but I will make you proud #PB ~ UR Om Namah Shivay. Trust the magic of new beginnings." The short clip had the name of the director Wasin S Khan and the writer Dhiraj Mishra. The film seems yet to be titled.

Urvashi Rautela was earlier seen at The Cannes Film Festival this year, where she claimed of attending the festival for the photocall launch of her film on Parveen Babi. Though the director, writer, and no other person attended the festival. It was speculated that Rautela attended the festival just on her own. But now with her Instagram announcement, she has confirmed her new project.

Some cinephiles on the internet are critical about the casting, commenting Rautela has yet not proven herself in acting and that this is a sensitive role, others hope this doesn't turn out like the Hollywood film Blonde - the biopic of Hollywood infamous singer-actor Marilyn Monroe which film critics detested.

While fans of Urvashi Rautela rejoiced and a few comments on her post read "This will be one of your best pictures" while the other comment said, "First actor ever to come in support of Parveen Babi." 

Recently, the veteran actor and Parveen Babi's contemporary actor Zeenat Aman also penned a long note on Parveen Babi's birthday talking about the late actress's mental illness, their bond as companions, and how she never got the chance to say what she felt.  Zeenat Aman also shared a small anecdote about her uncanny resemblance with the late actor. Aman also shared old photographs of the two of them together. Zeenat Aman and Parveen Babi worked in films together such as Ashanti (1982) and Mahaan (1983).

Life of Parveen Babi: 

Parveen Babi's career began with modeling and quickly escalated to acting with her Bollywood film debut in Charitra (1973) opposite cricketer Salim Durrani. The film was a flop but Parveen Babi was quickly noticed and gave some big superhit films like Amar Akbar Anthony (1977), Suhaag (1979), Deewar (1975), Kala Patthar (1979), and so on. 

The actor died a lonely death in her apartment in Juhu, Mumbai in 2005 with multiple organ failure. She was said to have paranoia and schizophrenia due to some events and diabetes. Her body was found after 72 hours in her apartment. 

Though a film on Parveen Babi's life is already said to be made in 2006 after her demise. Mahesh Bhatt along with his Nephew Mohit Suri made a film Woh Lamhe. This film was supposedly based on Parveen Babi's life, her battle with Schizophrenia, and her relationship with Mahesh Bhatt. Mahesh Bhatt said about the movie: "It was a tribute to the actor and the time they spent together, hence the name Woh Lamhe."

Urvashi Rautela is seen in movies like Great Grand Masti, Sanam Re, Singh Saab The Great, and more. Urvashi Rautela won the crown of Miss Universe in 2012. 

Suggested Reading: Sepia Stories: How we Failed Parveen Babi, both Alive and Dead