The 50-second teaser of the Richa Chadha-starred Shakeela instantly brings to mind Vidya Balan's Dirty Picture (2011). This is not surprising, given the similarities between the actress Silk Smitha, who served as inspiration for Vidya's character, and the Southern sex symbol Shakeela. Both women had devoted followings but faced discrimination and hardship because of their choice of films.
The teaser, which only focuses on Chadha's character, kicks off with a voiceover stating that Shakeela was a force to be reckoned with in the 1990s and that her films would provide steady income to cinema hall owners whenever there was a lull. We then see Chadha mesmerizing her fans as the actress and the love and adulation that she received from her ardent fans.
Born into a Muslim family in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, in 1973, Shakeela entered the film industry at the age of 16 and went on to give tough competition to the male superstars who ruled the roost at the time.
Written and directed by Kannada helmer Indrajit Lankesh, the film also stars Pankaj Tripathi as a Southern superstar and Malayalam actor Rajeev Pillai. However, the actors aren't seen in the teaser. Tripathi and Chadha have worked together in Masaan (2015), Fukrey (2013) and Fukrey Returns (2017).
Shakeela is being presented and produced by Sammy's Magic Cinema Motion Picture Production and distributed by UFO.
The film will be released on 25 December in cinemas across India.
Check out the teaser and let us know if you are keen on watching the film.