Not making film based on Divya Bharti: Sandhu

Mumbai: First time director-producer Vikram Sandhu says his debut movie `Dream` is not inspired by the life of late Bollywood actress Divya Bharti, who died at the young age of 19. There was a buzz that Sandhu is making a biopic on the life and circumstances revolving around the tragic death of the 90s star.

"I am not directly saying that I am making a film on Divya Bharti. It is about a young actress who came in the film industry...she was here for some time, created stir, achieved fame, won everyone`s heart," Sandhu said. "There are lots of things that happen in the life of a heroine. My film is based on a young girl who becomes star overnight and her journey in filmdom. It is not based on anyone. I have created a fictitious character," he said. Ask him if the heroine of her film, dies in the end, Sandhu says, "I will show that in film, I don`t want to disclose anything now." Though Sandhu refrained from saying that his film is based on the life of Divya, but it seems it is aptly about her. Divya started her career in the film industry, with a Telugu film -- `Bobbili Raja` (1990). After several hit films down South, Divya entered Bollywood with `Vishwatma` (1992). This film did well at the box office and also her performance in the song “Saat Samundar Paar” won accolades. She appeared in a dozen films between 1992 and 1993, giving several hits like `Shola Aur Shabnam`, `Jaan Se Pyaara`, `Deewana`, `Balwaan` and others. Her career was cut short by her death in April 1993, when she fell from her apartment building, under mysterious circumstances. The investigation into the circumstances of her death was closed in 1998. The film would be made under the banner of Angel Film Creatives.Sandhu is on the look-out of a new face and is conducting auditions for the main role. "I don’t want to reveal anything as of now, as to whether we would cast a fresh face or an established actress. All I can say is as of now we are doing auditions for the main character. If we don`t get an interesting, right person for the role then we would go for an established actress," Sandhu said. The auditions are happening in Delhi, Chandigarh, Kolkata and Jammu. With the film based on the journey of a heroine, it is obvious it would also have a male actor, who has been part of her life. "We do have a lead actor in the film, we have already finalised the actor. But we will disclose it after 20 days," he said. The film would go on floors in the first week of June and is expected to release by the end of this year. PTI