Lin Laishram Says It'll Be A Shame If Bollywood Does Unfair Casting For Biopic On Mirabai Chanu

Mirabai Chanu won India¡¯s first medal this Olympic season, finishing second in the 49kg women¡¯s weightlifting category. She lifted a total of 202 kg. This is also India¡¯s first-ever silver Olympic medal in weightlifting.

Her glorious victory will go down in the history as one of the most iconic wins.

Mirabai Chanu/File Photo

Actress Lin Laishram, who played a pivotal role in Priyanka Chopra's 'Mary Kom,' is proud of Chanu for putting the North Eastern state on the world map with her victory.

Lin Laishram

Lin herself hails from Manipur. In an interview with Freepress Journal, Lin said,

Lin laishram

¡°A small state like Manipur has produced many great sports stars. I am extremely proud of Mirabai. Winning a silver medal and putting Manipur, India on the world map is a feeling of victory of unity in diversity.¡±

With historic victories like these comes possibilities of cinematic adaptation. Mirabai¡¯s historic triumph has high chances of getting a Bollywood adaptation in the form of a biopic.

Lin added that it would be inspiring for others to see Chanu's story. She added,

Mirabai Chanu

¡°Film is a visual medium, and people connect to it faster. A story about a small-town girl winning in the Olympics will be an inspiration to our youth, especially girls.¡±

Sharing her personal thoughts over the 'talked about' possibilities of a biopic on Chanu, she said,

Lin Laishram

¡°It¡¯ll be a shame if an actor of another ethnicity plays it in today¡¯s day and age. Inclusivity is a big thing across the world, and about time we as a country practice it as well.¡±

She also said that if the offer comes her way, she would like it. She was quoted as saying,

Lin Laishram

"I would love to play Mirabai. I feel it depends a lot on the narrative of the story, and someone deserving should be cast."

Actor Adil Hussain, who himself hails from North East, echoed Lin's thoughts. He said that it's high time Bollywood makes up for the lost opportunity and redeems itself.

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In an interview with Hindustan Times, he said that someone else could have played the role of Priyanka Chopra in Mary Kom. He was quoted as saying, ¡°I¡¯d have definitely preferred someone from North East. This isn¡¯t at all a judgment on Priyanka, and she¡¯s a very accomplished artist. If someone makes a movie on Mirabai Chanu, I¡¯m sure they¡¯d be more imaginative and cast someone from the Northeast."

Not many know that Lin has been working in the entertainment industry for almost ten years now. She turned heads with her convincing performance in the 2014 biopic Mary Kom starring Priyanka Chopra Jonas.

Lin Laishram

In one of her earlier interviews, Lin had shared her thoughts of Bollywood's unfair casting practices. While she said she had a lot of respect for Priyanka's hard work, it would have been fairer if someone from Manipur or the North East could have been cast for accurate representation.