Done deal: Mehwish Hayat on playing Benazir Bhutto in upcoming biopic

The ‘Punjab Nahin Jaungi’ actor revealed the news during a recent interview

In a recent development, actor Mehwish Hayat revealed in an interview with a local news outlet that she is all set to star as the late former prime minister Benazir Bhutto in her biopic. The Load Wedding actor confirmed the news, stating that production is set to begin in the near future. 

Hayat shared during the interview, "That project is under development. The magnitude of the project is such that it requires time. I have signed an NDA so I can’t share too many details with you, but I can tell you that it is under development and the script is being worked on. The production is set to begin soon.” 

The actor also spoke about how the roles she chooses become a part of her personality in the long run. She explained, "All the characters I’ve play become a part of my personality somehow. An artist is a very emotional being, so the characters affect you a lot. They stay with you. But then, of course, as an actor it’s important for me to adjust to any role. I call myself a chameleon. Some elements get left behind, but my own personality is strong enough to resist being fully influenced by the characters I play.” 

The actor previously spoke about essaying the role back in 2018. Hayat penned a note on Instagram announcing her involvement in the project. She wrote, "I am privileged to have been given the opportunity to research and learn more about her life and sitting here I can only reflect on so much more that could have been had she not lost her life so tragically."

However, the news was met with resistance from Bhutto’s daughter, Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari, on Twitter. She wrote, “Certainly no consent from her living heirs/children was sought. Absolutely unacceptable and we will be taking action against it.”

Certainly no consent from her living heirs/children was sought. Absolutely unacceptable and we will be taking action against it. https://t.co/onq9F4xgYT

— Bakhtawar B-Zardari (@BakhtawarBZ) June 22, 2018

Despite the backlash, the Punjab Nahin Jaungi actor re-confirmed her involvement in the biopic in 2020. In an interview with Desi Blitz, Hayat shed some light on the project. While still keeping mum about the storyline of the film citing a Nondisclosure agreement (NDA) she has signed, the actor revealed why she chose the project."I am under a strict NDA about the Benazir project. I am not allowed to say anything further than what already is in the public domain. Putting politics on one side, as an actress I am really drawn to the character," she said.

Adding on, Hayat talked about how she perceives Benazir as a character. " To me, she's a Shakespearean heroine. From her carefree days in Oxford. To her untimely assassination. There are so many shades to her and her personality. It will be an honour to play her," she stated.