India's shuttler Saina Nehwal feels Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone can do justice to her on-screen image for a biopic on the badminton ace's struggles and stellar rise
Saina Nehwal and Deepika Padukone
India's badminton sensation Saina Nehwal feels actress Deepika Padukone can do justice to her onscreen image.
Actress Deepika Padukone at an event recently. File Pic
Bollywood Director Mahesh Bhatt is planning a biopic on Saina's stellar rise as the Hyderabadi shuttler went on to clinch India's first individual Olympic medal in badminton — a bronze at the London Games in 2012.
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"I think only Deepika Padukone can do justice to my onscreen image. Firstly, people should be able to connect with the character and given Deepika's popularity, she would be perfect for the role," Saina was quoted as saying by India Today website recently.
Badminton in Dippy's blood
Badminton runs in Padukone's blood. Her father, the legendary Prakash Padukone became the first Indian to win the All-England championship in 1980. Deepika too played badminton for Karnataka at the junior level before opting for a career in acting.
Saina Nehwal
"She knows badminton quite well. Apart from the strokes and bends, she is aware of all the actions in the game. And since it will be a film based on a sportsperson's life, it wouldn't be right to go with flaws in strokes and patterns. I have seen her play, and she is really good at it," Saina said.
Meanwhile, Saina ruled out acting in films. "I want people to know me for the sport and my game, and for nothing else. Also, it's very important to remain focused as once you lose focus you can't perform well anymore.
So, it is a conscious effort on my part to avoid the limelight. If the film happens, it will only show my struggle to achieve what I have," she signed off.
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