No copping out from the truth

Former top cop Kiran Bedi states her biopic will reveal why she was moved from Tihar Jail after her prison reforms became successful
Hiren Kotwani (MID-DAY; June 14, 2024)

Hindi cinema is populated with stories about super cops. Oddly, the story of one of India’s most celebrated cops, Kiran Bedi, was missing from the big screen. Now, director Kushaal Chawla is set to make Bedi: The Name You Know, The Story You Don't. Her life has all the material for a gripping biopic—from her being the Indian Police Service’s first female officer, to her staunch anti-corruption stance over her 35-year career. But the thrust will be on her policing career, including how she introduced prison reforms in Delhi’s Tihar Jail, why she was removed from her post despite her relentless work, and her multiple postings.

Bedi tells us, “I know who was behind it all and why it was done, which I will tell through this film. No one was bothered about prison reforms at the time because it was like a punishment posting. When [my efforts] got high visibility, I got the Ramon Magsaysay Award. [At the same time], I was getting departmentally punished. Kushaal is fascinated by my work as a police officer, whether it is tackling crime, my work in the traffic department and prisons, and my UN assignment.”

While she was often approached for biopics, it was only in 2020 that the then-Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry felt ready. “I was impressed to know that Kushaal had been researching for four years.”

The big question is: who will play the former top cop? Kushaal says, “We have a few actors in mind, but no one has been shortlisted.” Bedi adds, “She will have to [study] all the mannerisms, sport short hair, adopt my way of dressing and gestures.”
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Akash Bhatnagar (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 13, 2024)

India’s first woman IPS officer, Dr Kiran Bedi, has announced that her inspirational life will be turned into a motion picture, titled BEDI: The Name You Know. The Story You Don’t. While she has been approached several times in the past about making a film about her life, Bedi feels that now the timing is finally right.

The 75-year-old credits director Kushaal Chawla’s extensive research for convincing her to proceed this time. “I was in Puducherry for my assignment when Kushaal and his father, producer Gaurav Chawla, approached me about making a film. I initially felt it was too early since I was still working, but their thorough homework and due diligence impressed me, even though they didn’t know if I would agree,” she shares.

Pre-production for the project will begin soon, and the casting for Bedi’s role is yet to be finalised. When asked which Bollywood actor she thinks would best portray her, Bedi suggests, “These are tough choices, best left to the directors and producers.” She adds that the film might be released next year.

Reflecting on the portrayal of police officers in Indian cinema, Bedi notes, “With my limited time, I don’t watch much of the uniform or police series because I have had enough of it in real life.” She also recalls her stint in showbiz with the TV show Aap Ki Kachehri, describing it as a brilliant phase of her life. “It was instant justice — exactly what my love for service brought me. The judgements were honoured like a civil court. I loved that part of my life.”