Film maker Priyadaarshini, a former assistant of Mysshkin is all set with her directorial venture The Iron Lady, a biopic of late actress turned politician and former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu J.Jayalalithaa. After scouting around for a suitable actress who would reprise former Supremo of AIADMK Jayalalithaa who was hailed as Amma by her innumerable followers, Nithya Menen was brought on board by Priya.
Now, the next big thing for Priya was to figure out an actress who would portray VK Sasikala aka Chinnamma, a close aide of Jaya and a person who is under a cloud as she is serving a jail term in the Parppana Agrahara jail in Bengaluru for corruption. Apparently, the director is experiencing difficulties in pinning an actress for the role as many of them are reluctant to play Sasikala on screen.
Such reluctance is understandable too as Sasikala might be seen in negative light in public and in the movie as her association with Jayalalithaa was always a controversial subject in real life as well as in politics. Also, the subject became even more controversial as Sasikala made an attempt to become the chief minister by taking Jaya’s chair soon after her death and was delayed by the Governor and then denied by her conviction for a four-year jail term.
The young director had told DC that the biopic would chronicle JJ right from her debut film Vennira Aadai to her enormous growth as a politician, which would include Sasikala episodes as well, without which the biopic would be incomplete.
Reports suggest that Priya is keen to get a Tamil speaking actress to play Sasikala in the film. Accordingly, it is learnt that she had approached powerhouse performer Varalaxmi Sarathkumar to play Sasikala. Yet another source reveals that Priya is also considering Aishwarya Rajesh, who is also known for her versatile acting.
However, the same production source says that since Sasikala’s association with Jayalalithaa has always been a grey area, more so after JJ’s death, both Varu and Aishwarya are apprehensive to accept and portray the role. Watch this space for more news on this front!
