On Wednesday, I had my second meeting with Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani, and we completed all the legal and other formalities regarding this project. There were so many people who wanted to make a film on my life, but it is my friend Bunty Sajdeh who helped me in making the right choice. With this biopic taking a definite shape now, I'm really excited and waiting to see my journey on screen. From September, the narrations will begin and I will be a part of those. After that, the director and the actors will also be finalised.
Now that the entire story of your life will be put together on 70mm screen, do you have any last-minute jitters or fears of putting too many personal details of your life on public view?
As far as jitters or fears are concerned, I have nothing to hide. I'm an open book and I will share every detail of my life onscreen. I was always a rebel as a child and much ahead of my time. Till the time I got 'disabled' (as per the society), I was a wonderful, fun-loving homemaker; I was always quite outdoorsy and adventurous. Post that, the whole mission of my life has been about finding ability beyond disability; it has been a search about myself and my inner potential. It is also about realising that legs are mighty overrated. Here, I must add that I'm not going to interfere with the creative rights; they are with Farhan and Ritesh. And I have full faith in their ability and wisdom to do justice to my journey; my duty is to give them all the facts and be totally open about them.
Is there any one actor who you feel can do justice to you, onscreen?
It would have to be somebody who is sporty and tall. But I'm not in a position to name anyone because I don't know which actor would be finalised and whose dates would be available. But one thing is for sure, it's going to be a dream role and a career-defining portrayal because there are many shades to me.
Recently, you were quite upset when your name didn't feature in the Khel Ratna nominees' list. Have you overcome the hurt now?
Honestly, this biopic has served as a great diversion from the Khel Ratna disappointment. The sad part is that many people misconstrued my argument. They said that I didn't like the fact that Paralympic medallist Devendra Jhajharia was recommended for the Khel Ratna. When did I say that? All I said was that I also deserve it. I have written to PM Modi and Sports minister Vijay Goel, voicing my thoughts about this. For now, I'm quite happy about the fact that I have been invited for 'At Home' by President Ram Nath Kovind on August 15.
One thing is for sure, whenever something has not happened in my career, I have gone ahead and raised the bar. I'm also quite excited promoting travel for the disabled across the world in August, so that they can overcome their fear of international travel. Also, there are more medals to be won for the country.
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