/> Not too many people know this. But in 1982-83 the formidable Shabana Azmi was to play Benazir Bhutto in a film to be directed noted British-Pakistani author-playwright and filmmaker Tariq Ali.

Ali who has done a celebrated play The Leopard & The Fox on the arrest and execution of Benazir's father Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had readied the screenplay for his proposed Benazir bio-pic with Shabana in the lead.

Shabana had begun to prepare for the part, studying Benazir's body language and also getting the required haircut to look completely credible.

But then politics intervened. Because of differences between India and Pakistan, the hush-hush project was quietly abandoned.

But Shabana was disappointed. "I know I can physically resemble Benazir. Once that's in place the rest would just follow," the awesome Azmi had admitted at that time.

Now almost 25 years after the proposed film's premature debacle Shabana says she's all set to play Benazir. "My God ! I thought I was the only one who remembered the Benazir project. I'd love to play Benazir in a film.

I've met her twice. We got along really well. Once Benazir and her mom came to Columbia University to listen to my lecture.

Another time in Delhi Benazir and I were seated table at the same table. I was an MP then and she was keen to know my experiences. I was very moved by her book Daughter Of The East.

By a strange coincidence the day after I finished reading her book she had become prime minister.We had many common friends, including Tariq Ali."

Would Tariq Ali revive the project? According to sources the talented author has been keen to do the film, and had even obtained Benazir's permission for the endeavour. Chances are the project would be revived posthumously since there's an incredible amount of curiosity and sentimentality about Benazir's life.

Says a source close to the project, "Benazir has now become a part of the same enduring romance that Princess Diana represents. The Shabana-Tariq Ali project stands a good chance at this time."