Richa Chadha, who has been roped in to play the titular role of
Shakeela in the biopic on the adult film star, has begun shooting for the film in a small town in Karnataka called Tirthahalli.
The film, directed by
Indrajit Lankesh, will delve into the life of Shakeela, who ruled the Southern film industry for over two decades. In the first look of the film, Richa is seen dressed in a traditional
Kerala saree
called Kasavu Pattu. Mollywood actor
Rajiv Pillai is also part of the movie, playing one of Shakeela's romantic interest.
When asked about the first look, the actress said, “The challenge for the look of the film but also a good one is that the story traces the journey of Shakeela’s younger days to her becoming a popular figure. Thus the looks span over years and years and with each passing time her look changed. As an actor, it’s gratifying that I get to grow with the real character on celluloid. Shakeela is still a legend and we wish to do complete justice to her when the film is ready.”