Seema Parihar played herself in Wounded - The Bandit Queen

Here's probably something you didn't know about former dacoit and one of the leading contenders on Bigg Boss 4, Seema Parihar. She played herself in Wounded The Bandit Queen (2006) directed by Krishna Mishra.

The film was shot on location in the Chambal Valley.

It was the first time in Hindi cinema that a 'bandit queen' played out her own real-life story on screen. The film went on to win the Critics Award at the Leicester Expo Film Festival (United Kingdom) in 2005.

Kya thi kahaani?

Wounded opens with Seema recalling her life in a flashback style and goes back to her childhood in a remote Uttar Pradesh village called Bawine.

Born into a marginalised Taker family, Seema's childhood is spent in tending to cattle.

At 13, she is kidnapped by dacoits Lalaram and Kusma Nain. After undergoing social torture and trauma, she finally joins Lalaram's gang and becomes their leader.

She weds a fellow dacoit named Nirbhay Gujjar, becomes a companion to Lalaram and later gives birth to a baby.

At the end, Lalaram dies in a police encounter and Seema surrenders. Her reign begins after the surrender of Phoolan Devi.

Director Krishna Mishra approached Seema in prison with his crew and the idea of making a film on her life. Since she was chargesheeted in many cases, it was impossible for her to leave jail.

Krishna approached the Allahabad High Court seeking permission to shoot the film with her. The appeal was granted. She was allowed to work under strict police observation.

Seema said in subsequent interviews that she decided to play her part because she did not want the director to take any cinematic liberties.

Eventually, Gujjar was shot dead by the police in the jungle and Parihar laid down her arms for the sake of her son, who she wants to provide an education and a good life.