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Nobody else could have pulled off Narendra Modi’s role, says Paresh Rawal 

The actor and Member of Parliament will begin shooting for the film in September or October this year

Photo: Shutterbugs Images

It has been a year since actor Paresh Rawal declared his intention to play the lead in prime minister Narendra Modi’s biopic. Even though the project had been stalled, the actor has now confirmed that it is very much on with the shoot expected to take place from September or October this year.

Fellow actor and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Shatrughan Singh, too, was said to be keen on playing Modi, but Rawal stated confidently that no one else could have played the prime minister.

The Deccan Chronicle newspaper quoted Rawal as saying: "Let me assure you nobody else can pull off Narendra Modi’s role. I am sure you all will enjoy my performance, just wait and watch."

Apart from Sinha, there were murmurs of Akshay Kumar also playing Modi.

Rawal, however, has no qualms over anyone else also wanting to play the prime minister in another film. Speaking to Rediff.com, Rawal said, "Let whoever want to do it, do it; good for everybody. Hum kisi ko rok nahi sakte (We can't stop anybody from playing the role)."

Rawal, who will soon be seen playing Sunil Dutt in Sanju (2018), added that the shoot for the Narendra Modi biopic will commence in a few months from now.

“The script has been finalised and I’m happy with the way it has been written. We are going on the floors in September," he told Deccan Chronicle.

In an interview with Rediff.com, Rawal spoke about how challenging it would be to play Modi. “Other than copying, aping a person, while playing such roles you have to go beyond that. If I were to just imitate his mannerisms, then there are many people around who can do that. One is not supposed to do mimicry in such roles and that is why such roles challenge you as an actor,” Rawal said.

There’s not much known about the Narendra Modi biopic, but buzz has it that the film be in Hindi and English. Rawal reiterated that all controversies around Modi and his life will be part of the film too. When asked whether the 2002 Godhra riots will figure in the film, Rawal replied, “Everything will be there."

Rawal has previously played the lead role of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in the biopic, Sardar (1994).