‘Paro’ plays Arundhati Roy!

Booker prize-winning author and social activist, Arundhati Roy, has been in the news for reportedly being supportive towards the Naxal movement. Her life’s dramatic twists and turns have now inspired director Vivek Agnihotri to include a character inspired by her in his upcoming film Buddha in a Traffic Jam. And actor Mahie Gill is portraying Roy’s character in the film. The Dev D heroine actually underwent a complete makeover to look like Arundhati and has even chopped her tresses short.

Says Vivek, “Arundhati had apparently been called many things including a terrorist. While some think she was only exercising her civil liberties and admire her, others dislike her. My film is about intellectual terrorism in which I am showing how these thinkers influence and lead the lives of people in these sensitive areas. We have shot at real locations with real people barring the lead stars. Through my film we are talking about the various independent revolutions by Maoists, students in Telangana, Saffron terrorists and so on. I am just projecting both the sides of the coin through the film.” Besides, the movie is being shot in real locations, the starcast of the film — Mahie, Arunodhay Singh, Anupam Kher (whose character is based on activist Binayak Sen) stayed in hostels along with students and cycled to the filming spots.

Even the film’s songs are sung by poets and smalltime singers. Mahie’s clothes were designed, keeping well in mind how Arundhati dresses up in real life, and young costume designer, Vishakha Khullar picked up ethnic jewellery, simple cotton and khadi printed sarees.