Ek Sapna sach hua!

Log sirf bolna jaante hain, kisne kitna saha hai yeh nahi jaante… the famous Haryanvi singer and dancer Sapna Choudhary’s life is a story of struggle and survival. Sixteen years of her performing on stage is due to be turned into a biopic and that makes her happy. “Growing up, I was a fierce, fiery girl. Whenever somebody would check me I would always tell them, ‘ek din mere par movie banegi’. That day is here,” shares an elated Sapna on Wednesday, as the teaser of the upcoming biopic was revealed.

The film is titled Madam Sapna and the singer-dancer adds, “My father was ill and as a child I saw my family struggling financially. I had to do something.” Pursuing her interest in dance, while always performing in a salwar suit even now, she took to the stage. She found it disheartening that the very people who enjoyed her show for three hours went home and abused her. Things turned around when in 2016 she was addressed as Madam Sapna on stage for the very first time. “It was like as if all my struggles were vindicated. It was this honour that I was looking for. Madam Sapna is just the prefect title for my story.”

Not too early for a biopic, one asks, “Yes abhi bahut life hai, bahut drama baki hai. But the last 15-16 years have been quite a rollercoaster. Each month has been a new challenge for me,” says Sapna. The Haryanvi girl, who popularised numbers like Teri Aakhya Ka Yo Kajal and Solid Body Re, takes pride in her success, especially coming from the society she was born and raised in. “When I started one couldn’t even dress as one liked to. Wearing sleeveless kurtas or even leaving hair open would invite criticism. To make a career in dance then was unthinkable.”

Sapna’s name has been dragged into controversies, one even leading her to attempted suicide. “Life’s been a struggle, every single day. But I have so gotten used to twists and turns that if one day it becomes all smooth, I probably wouldn’t like it!” She loves the challenges thrown on her. “In fact, I invite challenges, as I am capable of facing anything.”

Taking Haryanvi folk music to global level, if Sapna is proud of what she has attained, her husband Veer Sahu, an artiste himself, is even happier “Whenever a girl from a lower-middle class family strides ahead, people call her names. But how can they forget that Sapna brought global fame to a regional language like Haryanvi and its Ragni.”

Actively involved in the project, Sahu shares, “People say vo nachti hai, if I say anything they think I am just supporting her because she is my wife. Yes, as her husband it’s my dharam to support her. But wait for her biopic’s title song to release…that will silence all her critics.”

About the highs of recent times, Sapna talks passionately about Cannes and motherhood. Her Cannes outing on the invite of Air France was her first trip abroad. “I was so scared that I would get lost. I don’t know French and my English is no good. It was only my make-up artist and I, who got clearance from visa authorities. But I had a fabulous time.”

Sapna finds motherhood fun, but admits that she’s not a hands-on mother. “Motherhood bahut pyara hai. I have just been blessed with a son, and given him to my mother and mother-in-law to raise! I believe I would be bringing up my children’s children in future,” she laughs.

Back to the biopic. Veer Sahu says, “That a big production house is making a film on a girl who rose up from a small place is a huge achievement in itself.” However, the duo remains tight-lipped on the director and actor playing her. “Each thing will be unveiled at the right time,” avers Sapna.

The film is going to be presented by Mahesh Bhatt and produced by Vinay Bhardwaj. Its aims at a 2025 release.

Sapna Choudhary is a phenomenon that represents the voice of the common people. Her story is one of resilience, strength and defying the odds. This film is not just about her rise to fame, but a celebration of her spirit. — Mahesh Bhatt

We are thrilled to bring Sapna Choudhary’s story to the big screen. It is a tale that needs to be told — one that will inspire millions. As a producer, my goal is to ensure that her journey is portrayed with authenticity, capturing both the hardships and the victories that shaped her life. — Vinay Bhardwaj