Getting to play Indira Gandhi is opportunity of lifetime: Lara Dutta Bhupathi

Akshay Kumar, Lara Dutta Bhupathi and Vaani Kapoor and producer Jackky Bhagnani shared the stage after the trailer launch of their film Bell Bottom at PVR Priya in New Delhi recently. 

Speaking at the event, actress Dutta Bhupathi revealed that it was her who was seen as the late prime minister Indira Gandhi it the trailer. Set in the 1970s, the film revolves around a real-life hijacking attempt that took place under her tenure.

She said, "You did see me in the trailer. I am playing Mrs Indira Gandhi. That's me."

Describing the role, she added, "All it took was a call that, 'Lara, this film is being made, and we are casting for Indira Gandhi's role'. That's all it took before I even heard the script. Yes, of course, there is a great responsibility when you are portraying somebody who is an iconic figure like her."

Describing her role, she added, "It was very important to get her body language right. The film deals with a hijack situation that happened during Mrs Indira Gandhi's tenure. Given the dramatic events that were unfolding, she was always somebody who was extremely centred and not prone to dramatics. So it was important to portray her in that form. There was a lot of homework and a lot of research that went behind it, but it was obviously the opportunity of a lifetime."

Bell Bottom is also among the first of Akshay Kumar's films to be released in theatres amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Stating that he was happy that the film is being released in theatres on 19 August, the actor said, "I don't know about you all, but for two years, I have not watched anything on the big screen. Eating in a restaurant is always a fun experience. How long will you keep getting home-delivered food? It is time for people to come and watch films in theatres, but with due safety and according to protocol. This is the only hope that it does not stop again."  

While theatres in Delhi have resumed functioning at 50% capacity, while carefully abiding by COVID safety protocol, some states like Maharashtra have still not announced the reopening of cinema halls. The state government had decided to reduce restrictions but later opted not to allow theatres to resume operations. Despite Maharashtra being a key market for Hindi cinema, Bhagnani did not sound worried. He said, "I was not actually worried. Maharashtra contributes to almost 30% [of revenue from ticket sales] but for Bell Bottom, we are happy to be the flagbearers. This is for the fraternity, and we are happy that it is releasing in theatres. That is the most important thing. Yes, business is important but for this film, the biggest box office [advantage] is that we are releasing it in theatres."

Akshay Kumar added, "There is still time. The film is releasing on the 19th. Anything can happen yet."

Directed by Ranjit Tewari, Bell Bottom also features Vaani Kapoor and Adil Hussain. The film is produced by Pooja Entertainment and Emmay Entertainment.