Pakistan President, Asif Ali Zardari has stopped the Indo-Pak co-production Benazir. Benazir Bhutto was a gutsy leader of Pakistan, who also served as the nation’s as Prime Minister twice. She was assassinated in December 2007. So having close links with Pakistan, director Mahesh Bhatt came up with an idea to direct and produce a film on her life. Bhatt has not only filmed Awarpan in Pak but has always given a chance to Pakistani musicians and actors in his films.

Meanwhile talented actress Shabana Azmi, who has a cultural as well as physical resemblance to Benazir, was selected to play the role of Benazir. But the film has now been halted by Benazir’s widower Asif Ali Zardari.

The film still is in its initial phase and Zardari along with his family wants to first supervise all the nuances of the film. When asked to the director, Bhatt said, “Zardari stepped in to say we must not make the film until we get their nod. We’ve gracefully stepped back for now.”

However, Shabana said, “I’d love to do the part. But the project is at a very nascent stage.” Both Bhatt and Shabana are optimistic towards the film and waiting for the green signal.

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