Now, 'Didi' to bask in screen glory

Viewers may be excused if they mistake the familiar figure in a plain Dhaniakhali sari and rubber sandals for Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee.

But Ruma Chakraborty is just a look-alike of Bengal's fiery leader and is all set to appear as Mamata's screen avatar.

The theatre actress will portray the mercurial character with a life full of highs and lows in a full-length feature film titled 'Didi', which will go on floors on December 4.

Debutante director Bidyut Sarkar, a self-confessed Mamata fan, says he has been stunned by the uncanny similarities in the looks of the two persons and hopes to release the film in 2011, well before the scheduled Assembly elections.

Sarkar, though reluctant to spell out the story line, said the film would chronicle Mamata's political career from the early 70s up to the 2011 Assembly poll, the result of the poll would not be there, though.

"It is basically a political film in spirit, though there will be commercial elements in it," Sarkar explained.

While taking Ruma's screen test, Sarkar said, he instantly realised that she could deliver in depicting the typical mannerisms of the Trinamool chief and portray her next-door image.

Ruma, who is keenly following Didi on TV clippings these days, said after being selected for the role she embarked on imbibing her traits - the way she wears her Dhaniakhali sari, ties up her long hair and moves her lips.

She is also trying to pick up her pacing up and down a room while in a crisis, how she turns around and how she talks.

"She seems to be hyperactive and restive at times while I am her exact opposite, though that does not come in the way of my holding great respect for her," Ruma said.

She said she had felt nervous when she was offered the role, but learned to take it up as a challenge.

The film, which will have references to Singur and Nandigram - two signposts in her way up the political path to limelight - besides the 26-day fast in Kolkata in 2006. With an initial budget of Rs one crore, the film is scheduled to be completed by early January.