Mirror was the first to report (March 5) that Tigmanshu Dhulia is making a biopic of yesteryears' Tragedy Queen, Meena Kumari. The film is an adaptation of late journalist, Vinod Mehta's book, Meena Kumari: The Classic Biography. The actress passed away in her prime but her performance in films like Pakeezah, Saahib Bibi Aur Ghulam and Dil Apna aur Preet Parai made her a revered icon.

Now, Mirror has learnt that the biopic's producers, including Sunil Bohra who owns the rights to the book, have taken the project to Kangana Ranaut. The actress was given a copy of the book and found it "absolutely riveting".

Kangana has previously played an '70s star in Milan Luthria's Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai while her character in Mohit Suri's Woh Lamhe was inspired by actress Parveen Babi. However, playing Meena will be a challenge as the film will explore the actress's rise, the men in her life and her struggle to cope with fame which resulted in an alcohol addiction which led to her death at the age of 39.

The film will start by the end of this year. "Kangana is looking at her date diary and is hoping to accommodate the film in August-September. The research has begun and a formal announcement will be made soon," adds the source.

Tigmanshu chose not to respond to our text messages.