When Preity Zinta almost played Sonia Gandhi – Times of India

Birthday girl Preity Zinta came very close once to playing Sonia Gandhi. The project was to be produced Dr J Murli Manohar, who produced Ramji Londonwale and the tale of spousal abuse Provoked.

Murli had bought the rights for journalist Rashid Kidwai’s biography of Sonia Gandhi. And the film was to be directed by Jagmohan Mundhra.

Mundhra wanted an authentic international face to play Sonia. He had spoken to Carla Gugino, the actress from Spy Kids 2. At some point, Monica Bellucci was in consideration, too. He had also spoken to Preity Zinta. Eventually they had zeroed in on Preity.

The film wasn’t going to be about the politics of Sonia Gandhi. Mundhra and his producer wanted to make the film on the woman, not the politician.

Mundhra wanted the film to reflect a catch-line: ‘She came for the love of her life. She stayed for the love of her land.’ But the film never happened. Apparently the real Sonia Gandhi and her family refused to part with filming rights.

Says Preity, “I’d love to play Sonia Gandhi. I’ve a lot of admiration for her. What a life! And what a staggering range of emotions to portray for an actress.”