'Heroine' not based on Manisha Koirala's life: Madhur Bhandarkar

Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar has quashed reports that his dream project, Heroine is inspired by Bollywood actress Manisha Koirala's life.

The film revolves around the life of a once successful film actress Mahi Khanna, played by Kareena Kapoor, whose career is on a decline.

Grapevine suggested that the film is inspired by former actress and Nepali beauty Manisha Koirala's life. It was also reported that the life of Mahi is more or less similar to the lives of Hollywood actress Marilyn Monroe and Madhubala. But the director has rubbished all such rumours.

"Heroine is not based on the life Manisha Koirala. It is absolutely wrong. Lot of things had been written about the film before. But all I would say is that I have created a character called Mahi who is today's girl. The film is all about how she witnesses the ups and downs in her life," Bhandarkar told reporters in Mumbai.

"It will be a different sort of a film for Kareena. It is different kind of cinema... she has never done this kind of a film before," he said.

Ask Bhandarkar who is his favourite heroine, he says, there are lot many...but I must say I like Nutanji, Madhubalaji, Nargisji and Tabu the most.

On the status of the film, Bhandarkar said, "We have finished 40% of the film. And from April 10, we begin shooting again…we have a nonstop schedule. By May we should finish the film and by September the film will be released."

Earlier, Heroine courted controversy when after the grand photocall at the 64th Cannes Film Festival, Bhandarkar's film had to be stalled due to lead actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's pregnancy. But later the project was back on track when Kareena replaced her.