It's final. And soon it will be official. The role of Priyanka Chopra in the film based on the book penned by her former secretary Prakash Jaju will be played by newbie Sakshi Chaudhary.
Sakshi, it would be recalled, has been signed by producer Feroze Nadiadwala for a three-film deal. She will be first seen opposite John Abraham in the next instalment of the Hera Pheri franchise.
For the role of Priyanka, in 67 Days, Sakshi would have to go into rigorous workshops.
Says a source close to the project, "She will play Priyanka after very closely studying her movies. Sakshi is not a major movie buff. But Aseem Merchant (the producer and Priyanka's former boyfriend) wants Sakshi to adopt Priyanka's body language and mannerisms. Priyanka tends to talk very rapidly, letting the words spill out in a tumble. Sakshi would be speaking like that. There will also be an attempt to recreate some of Priyanka's early songs and dances from Andaaz and Aitraaz."
Sakshi says, "I don't think I am allowed to talk about this. But yes, I am playing the part in the film that you mention. I guess they thought I was suitable for it. As far as studying Priyanka goes, I haven't done much of that so far. I was never star-struck. But she is a good actress. Hopefully I will play a good actress well."
As for reports of Priyanka being miffed by this unauthorised film borrowed from her life, Aseem defends his creative freedom arguing, "The film is about Prakash Jaju, not Priyanka Chopra. It is about his experiences in Bollywood and will cover the entire entertainment industry. I respect and admire Priyanka. In no way, I am trying to malign or hurt her. As a producer I am only trying to make a realistic film."
