Bollywood actor Shraddha Kapoor has been chosen to play the role of Indian badminton star Saina Nehwal in a biopic on the former World No 1 by director Amol Gupte.
Shraddha confirmed the news on Twitter on Wednesday.
“SAINA NEHWAL - The former World no 1 badminton player. An Indian girl. An inspiration to millions. A youth icon in the truest sense. @NSaina.
Her journey to the top has been fascinating & I am honored to be given this opportunity to play her in my next film 'SAINA',” the actor tweeted.
Her journey to the top has been fascinating & I am honored to be given this opportunity to play her in my next film 'SAINA'.
— Shraddha (@ShraddhaKapoor) April 26, 2017
SAINA NEHWAL - The former World no 1 badminton player. An Indian girl. An inspiration to millions. A youth icon in the truest sense. @NSaina pic.twitter.com/ZvXfAp7X7J
— Shraddha (@ShraddhaKapoor) April 26, 2017
“Most girls have played badminton at some point in their lives in school. I feel so lucky to be playing Saina, who’s not just been the world’s No. 1 badminton player, but is also a youth icon. I can’t wait to start prepping for my role,” the actor told Times of India.
The sports star reacted positively to the development.
“I was aware of the film, yes, but I didn’t know about the casting. It’s great if Shraddha plays me because she is a very talented actress and very hardworking. I am sure she will do justice to the role,” Saina told TOI.
“The best part is, she is a good friend as well. So it will be easier to teach her some badminton skills. A lot of people did tell me that we do look similar and I think that’s a huge compliment, because Shraddha is very good looking,” she added.
However, The Indian Express reported that Saina had said that she would like actor Deepika Padukone to play her on screen.
“Her father has been a badminton player and I have seen her playing badminton. She used to play really good. She can do justice to the role and I really wish she can do the role,” she had said.
PTI reported that Shraddha is also playing a role in another biopic Haseena based on Dawood Ibrahim’s sister, Haseena Parkar.