Ma Anand Sheela reveals why she picked Alia Bhatt over Priyanka Chopra to play her in Shakun Batra’s film: ‘She had not asked me’

Ma Anand Sheela, who was the personal secretary to Indian godman, philosopher, and mystic Osho (Acharya Rajneesh), remains a figure of intrigue. In a recent conversation, she shared insights about a long-discussed biopic based on her life, addressing both the project’s uncertain future and the ideal actress to portray her on screen.
During the interaction with Pinkvilla, Sheela confirmed that acclaimed filmmaker Shakun Batra, known for directing ‘Kapoor & Sons’ and ‘Gehraiyaan’, had intended to helm a commercial film based on her journey. However, she revealed that the project never materialised due to financial constraints.
When asked whom she envisioned playing her in the yet-to-be-made film, Sheela admitted that she had initially chosen Alia Bhatt for the role. However, with the movie currently stalled, she expressed uncertainty about its fate.

Addressing speculation about Priyanka Chopra Jonas portraying her in a separate project, Sheela clarified: “No, she announced she wanted to play the part of Sheela, but she had not asked me. That was the problem, and I wasn’t happy. One should ask, ‘How do you feel about it? I am going public with this news — do you agree or accept?’ But today, I can tell you, it doesn’t matter. Priyanka (Chopra) can also play my part.”
Sheela recalled watching snippets of Alia Bhatt’s performances, which led her to notice a resemblance between them in their younger years. This realisation prompted her to reach out to Batra, with her sister also agreeing that the Gangubai Kathiawadi actress bore a striking similarity to her.
While a full-fledged biopic remains uncertain, Shakun Batra previously explored Sheela’s story in his 2021 documentary Searching for Sheela, produced under Karan Johar’s production house. The film provided an in-depth look into her life post-Osho, offering a glimpse into the enigmatic persona that continues to captivate many.