The project was announced last year but the actor recently confirmed the news in an exclusive chat with DNA saying, "Humari script almost lock ho chuki hai. Hum log September-October mein start karenge."
(The script has almost been locked. We will go on floors sometime around September-October.)
It was earlier said that Rawal would just associate with the film in a producer's capacticy. However dismissing the rumour, the actor revealed that he will be playing the titular role in the yet untitled biopic on Mr. Narendra Modi.
When asked to speak on the latest trend of biopis in Bollywood, the actor said, "Mujhe bada acha lagta hai hum log jo pehle upar upar ka drama dekhte the ab hum biopics ke madhyam se aam aadmi ke zindagi mein jo hota hai usko bhi hum drama samjhne lage hain, uske baare mein sochne lage hain.
Ki agar MS Dhoni station pe baithta tha toh usse bhi us character ke baare mein kuch samajh aata hai. Humari jo aam Hindi filmon mein jo bada hi overt, cliche kisam ka melo drama huya karta tha, woh drama hona bandh hogaya hain, woh sukoon hai. Ye jo kahaaniyan ban rahi hain ye acha lag raha hai."
(I am glad that we have finally departed from superficial things and started recognizing the stories of common people as 'drama'. For example, when you see MS Dhoni, played by Sushant Singh Rajput, sitting on the platform of a station, you get to know a lot about his character. That our films have dropped the cliche, overt kind of melo-drama, is a huge relief. I am really liking it that such stories are being told.)
Paresh Rawal might have been a part of several successful biopics like 'Sardar' (played Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel), 'Road to Sangam' (essayed the role of Hasmat Ullah Khan), 'Tamanna' (played Tikku's role) and the latest being 'Sanju' (portrays Sunil Dutt), but he thinks his own life is not worthy enough of being made into a biopic.
"Mujhpe banti hai agar? Arrey Bhaiya mujhpe kyun banayenge? Mujhpe agar banaani hoti toh main apna jeevan bhi uss tareeke se jeeta," a surprised Paresh Rawal quipped.
(You mean a biopic on me? Why would any one make a biopic on me? I would have lived my life a certain way, had I known that a biopic will be made on it in future.)
On being coaxed a little, the actor said, "Har aadmi ke life mein drama hota hai aur woh sufficient hota hai ek film ke liye but patanai. I can't pin point ke ye aadmi mera role play kar sakta hai. Jo acche actor hain unmein se koi ek kare ye meri khwaish rahegi."
(Every person's life has enough drama to be translated into a movie but I can't say the same about myself. I don't have any actor's name in mind in particular. But, I would want a good actor to play it for sure.)