'Bajirao Mastani' actress Priyanka Chopra is believed to have been approached for a biopic on Kalpana Chawla, the first Indian woman in space

The grapevine is abuzz with rumours of Priyanka Chopra being approached for a proposed biopic on Kalpana Chawla, the first Indian woman in space. Viacom 18 Motion Pictures will be producing the film, we hear.

Says a source, "Priyanka has been offered the lead role, but she is yet to give her approval to the makers. She is currently busy with her American TV show along with other Bollywood commitments, and so, is taking time to make up her mind. The makers feel Priyanka fits the bill; the common factor is that she, like Chawla, hails from a small town too."

Chawla, the first Indian-American astronaut, hailed from Karnal, Haryana, and has inspired thousands to dream big. She died on her second expedition along with seven other astronauts in February 2003 when the space shuttle exploded. She spent 31 days, 14 hours and 54 minutes in space.


She was awarded with the Congressional Space Medal of Honor by the United States. Both Priyanka and the spokesperson for the production company remained unavailable for comment. A source close to Viacom 18 confirms the story, saying, "We have the rights to the biopic on Kalpana Chawla. We have had a discussion with Priyanka about the film and she has shown interest. We are waiting for her to return to India next month to take things forward."