Wanted: Two heroines for the Sanjay Dutt biopic

Except the lead actor (Ranbir Kapoor), no other cast member has been finalised for the Sanjay Dutt biopic,  by director Rajkumar Hirani. But now, the filmmaker is on the lookout for two girls — one will play Sanju Baba’s deceased first wife, Richa Sharma and the other will play his current wife, Manaayata Dutt.

Says a source, “While the film will essentially revolve around the life of the macho star, his struggle with substance abuse, his rise to the top as an actor, his fall from grace, his incarceration and subsequent release, the film will also focus on his personal life. RK’s fans will expect that, so Hirani is planning to incorporate Baba’s two marriages, the first one with Richa and his current one with Manaayata in the biopic.”

Manaayata

Manaayata started out as an item dancer in Gangaajal and had done a few low-budget films before she tied the knot with Sanjay. She is now in charge of the actor’s production house.

Richa Sharma

Richa was a pretty actress from New York.  She made her debut with Dev Anand’s Hum Naujawan and followed it up with films like Anubhav and Insaf Ki Awaz before she tied the knot with Sanjay Dutt in 1987. After the birth of their daughter Trishala, she was diagnosed with cancer and succumbed to the disease in 1996.

OUR PICKS AS MANAAYATA

Kriti Sanon

Like Manaayata she is an outsider in the industry. She has the chutzpah and the attitude to play a girl determined to get her own way. So far she has only  paired up with the newbies.

Jacqueline Fernandez

Before she became Sanjay’s wife, Manaayata was known for her item number and Jackie has already proved to be a brilliant dancer. She has it in her to play a pillar of strength for her husband.

Shraddha Kapoor

 Currently riding a high with back-to-back hits has never been paired with RK. She’s pretty and dainty she will be good as Manaayata. Plus, she will get to play a strong character as Dutt’s better half.

OUR PICKS AS RICHA

Parineeti Chopra

Pari brings an impish charm and a certain freshness to each of her roles. We’re confident that she can play light roles as well as emotional ones. Also, never been paired opposite Ranbir.

Sonakshi Sinha

Sonakshi played a heartbroken tuberculosis patient in Lootera. Playing RIcha should come easy to her. Another actress who’d make a fresh pair with the Kapoor boy.

Huma Qureshi

Huma’s tall frame and physique fits Richa perfectly. A talented actress, she can bring out the nuances of the character who suffered the highs and lows in her life with gravitas.