ISLAMABAD: Earlier in the year murmurs began to circulate that Mehwish Hayat was in talks about playing the late Benazir Bhutto, a revered and controversial figure from Pakistan’s history who was the first female prime minister of Pakistan and one of the first in Muslim countries worldwide.
Though nothing had been confirmed for some time, on June 21, which would have been the two-time Pakistani prime minister’s 65th birthday, Hayat, who starred in last year’s mega-blockbuster “Punjab Nahin Jaungi” and is one of the most in-demand of Pakistan’s actors, posted on her official Instagram page a snap of her reading Bhutto’s book with a caption highlighting the inspiring life of the assassinated politician, her admiration for Bhutto’s unwavering work on women’s rights, and a hint that the rumors of her forthcoming role may be true.
“I am privileged to have been given the opportunity to research and learn more about her life, and sitting here I can only reflect on so much more that could have been had she not lost her life so tragically,” wrote Hayat. “The sign of a true leader is the legacy they leave behind and the reverence with which the people remember them, irrespective of party allegiances. She was a truly remarkable woman and I look forward to giving life to her story soon.”
The post went viral in a matter of hours with major news publications, online platforms and bloggers picking up the picture and taking it as confirmation that Hayat would be playing Pakistan’s first female prime minister.
It was viral enough for one of Bhutto’s daughters, Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari, to comment on a post tweeted to her by a follower, posted by Express Tribune on Hayat’s post, saying that no consent from her family was given, and that they would not be supporting the discussed biopic.
“Certainly no consent from her living heirs/children was sought. Absolutely unacceptable, and we will be taking action against it,” she wrote.
Bhutto is a mother to three children: Bakhtawar, Aseefa and Billawal Bhutto Zardari. She was also the first world leader in modern history to give birth while in office in 1990. Her children, who are all active in the People’s Party which their family started and have served for many years, have actively kept their mother’s name and legacy alive.
Hayat responded directly to Bakhtawar’s tweet with a two-part message assuring her that so far everything was only in the rumor stage and that things would not progress without the go-ahead from the late Benazir Bhutto’s family.
“To clarify rumors circulating: There is a project at the very early stages of development about your amazing mother. This cannot and will not be done without the consent or blessing of the family. I am sure that the team involved will be in touch before they progress further,” she wrote.
Hayat’s response quelled what were just rumors. Shem added that whether or not the film was made, her research is about her respect for the fallen leader, and she even asked to meet with Bakhtawar to learn more about her.
“Meanwhile, as an actress I am researching as much as I can about a real idol of mine.”
Bakhtawar Zardari has not yet responded.
