I was following the happenings in the recent
Cannes Film Festival when I heard the confirmation that Monica Bellucci will star as Sonia Gandhi in a biopic. Indian director Jagmohan Mundhra chose Italian-actress Bellucci over Bollywood superstars Aishwarya Rai and Preity Zinta. I think Bellucci is a perfect choice, considering that Sonia Gandhi was Italian-born and the two have facial resemblance. If this film gets completed, I bet this is going to be the biggest Indian biopic after Gandhi (1982) in which Ben Kingsley played the title role.
For those of you who may not be aware,
Sonia Gandhi was born in Italy and was the widow of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi who was assassinated in a 1991 suicide bombing. She is currently at the helm of the Congress party, who won the 2004 elections. Gandhi, who was just a private woman prior to her husband's assassination, refused the Prime Minister seat. Hindu nationalists were against her, saying that anyone of non-Indian heritage cannot rule the country. She received praises from people around the world, including mine. Throughout the years, we have seen people gut each other's throat in politics. A woman with such humility as that of Gandhi deserves high respect. She truly lives up to her clan.
