Zeenat Aman roped in to play Sakina Begum in Ashutosh Gowariker’s Panipat

Veteran actress Zeenat Aman is the latest addition to the cast of Ashutosh Gowariker’s period drama Panipat (2019). She will be playing the role of Sakina Begum. The film features Arjun Kapoor, Kriti Sanon and Sanjay Dutt in lead roles. 

An excited Gowariker spoke about the actress's casting and said in an official statement, “It is an absolute honour and a fan moment to be directing Zeenatji. There are many many of her films that I have loved and especially her work in them. What is most fascinating about her, is her humility despite all the stardom.” 

This is not the first time that the filmmaker and Aman have teamed up. Gowariker had acted alongside her in Anant Balani’s murder mystery Gawaahi back in 1989. The filmmaker, who was just 25 then, played the role of Sayyad Akhtar while Aman played the lead character Jhanvi Kaul. 

Although Aman’s character in Panipat is called as a ‘special guest appearance,’ her character is important in the scheme of things. Sakina Begum was the leader of Hoshiyarganj province. She plays a part in the war of Panipat when the Peshwas turn to her for help. Aman will start shooting for the film by the end of this week. 

Panipat is based on the third battle of Panipat of 1761 which took place between the Marathas and the King of Afghanistan Ahmad Shah Abdali. The film is due to be released on 6 December 2019.