Playing Madhubala biggest challenge for me: Kangana

Mumbai, March 29 (IANS) Kangana Ranaut is set to play the legendary Madhubala in a film titled 'Once Upon A Time', but she says looking as beautiful as the late actress is a challenge.

'I've never thought of myself as beautiful. In fact, I've always suffered from low self-esteem. Till recently I'd look at my pictures and cringe. I still have the pictures from my first portfolio I got done in Chandigarh. They remind me of how ugly I can look. And to now play Madhubala in 'Once Upon A Time In Mumbai' - how will I do it?' Kangana said.

Set in Mumbai, 'Once Upon a Time' is about Madhubala who was said to be the love interest of the 1960s underworld don Haji Mastan. While Kangana plays Madhubala, Ajay Devgan will essay the role of Haji Mastan in the movie being produced by Ekta Kapoor.

Milan Luthria, who has directed films like 'Taxi No. 9211' and 'Hattrick', wields the megaphone for the movie.

'Madhubala's role is not as tragic as my other roles. It's basically a very tender romance between this really funny don and this female superstar who can't understand his personality,' Kangana told IANS.

'How will I manage to play the most beautiful woman that Indian cinema has ever seen? My characters have always had a dark and light side. And this one is no exception. But the challenge for me is to look almost ethereally beautiful, like Madhubala. How will I manage that?'

Kangana intends to undergo a complete transformation as far as looks are concerned. And she has already started watching DVDs of Madhubala's films to prepare for the role.

'I won't copy her, but I want to get into her mind and heartspace.'

Kangana, who played the main lead in 'Woh Lamhe', a semi-autobiography of Parveen Babi's life, laughs when people tell her playing the traumatised love interest of the underworld don would be a cakewalk for her.

'I'm proud of my so-called territory as an actress. If playing traumatised women is my territory, then I'm glad because I know I'm good at it,' she said.

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