A
popular
industry
folklore
from
the
90s
suggested
that
the
one-star
who
could
bring
the
audience
back
to
the
theatres
was
Shakeela,
the
famed
soft-core
actress
who
ruled
the
South
Industry
for
a
good
part
of
the
era.
Poised
for
a
Christmas
release,
Shakeela
headlined
by
Richa
Chadha
has
an
interesting
poster
as
well
which
was
just
released.
At
its
first
glance,
it
seems
to
ape
the
90s
Shakeela
films,
but
the
poster
itself
is
a
testament
to
her
triumph.
Donning
the
walls
next
to
her
poster
are
remarks
often
hurled
at
her,
and
her
success
was
the
victory
story
that
inspired
many
younger
actresses
to
take
their
chance
at
breaking
free
from
the
toxic
star
structure
of
the
film
industry.
Shakeela
is
the
official
biopic
of
Malayalam
actress,
who
ruled
the
roost
in
her
days
of
glory.
Directed
by
Indrajit
Lankesh,
the
film
also
stars
Pankaj
Tripathi
in
a
pivotal
role.
The
film
is
a
classic
rag
to
riches
of
a
woman,
who
won
against
all
odds.
She
was
fat-shamed,
slut-shamed,
told
she
is
too
dark,
but
every
time
there
was
a
lull
at
the
box
office
when
she
got
the
cash
register
ringing
again.
Offering
a
humane
look
at
the
fragilities
of
stardom,
Lankesh
and
Chadha
together
celebrate
the
fighting
spirit
of
their
muse.
Indrajeet
says,
"They
wanted
her
films
either
banned
or
censored
and
yet
her
films
were
running
100
days
upon
hitting
screens.
It's
no
surprise
that
she
was
dominating
the
industry
in
a
big
way
which
threatened
many
big
superstars.
Richa
is
fantastic
in
the
part
and
has
done
full
justice
to
the
character.
There
aren't
many
who
would've
brought
out
the
essence
so
well
but
in
this
film,
she
breathes
life
into
the
part
of
a
woman
who
has
seen-it-all."