Badminton star Saina Nehwal has once again addressed the conversation surrounding her 2021 biopic Saina, revealing that Shraddha Kapoor was originally her preferred choice to portray her on screen.
The sports drama, directed by Amol Gupte, featured Parineeti Chopra in the lead role. While the film received a mixed response at the box office, it recently resurfaced in headlines after fans noticed that Parineeti had unfollowed Saina on Instagram.
No Hard Feelings, Says Saina
In a recent interview, Saina clarified that she was unaware of the social media move and harboured no resentment. She suggested that Parineeti may have simply “moved on” after completing the project.
The Olympic medallist praised Parineeti’s commitment to the role, noting that although they never became close friends due to time constraints, the actor worked diligently to capture her mannerisms and playing style. Saina shared that she personally helped Parineeti with on-court techniques, including serves, movement, and stroke play.
She also admitted that watching her life story unfold on screen left her emotional.
Shraddha Kapoor Was the Original Pick
When asked who she would cast if her biopic were remade, Saina immediately named Shraddha Kapoor. The actor was initially signed for the film but had to step away after being diagnosed with dengue.
Saina spoke warmly about Shraddha, saying they remain in touch and have met several times. She described her as “very sweet” and reiterated that Shraddha had been her first choice for the role.
Despite the renewed buzz, Saina maintained that both actors gave their best in their own way — Parineeti for bringing her story to life on screen, and Shraddha as her personal favourite for the character.