‘Phoolan Devi’s flesh had been gouged out’: Govind Namdev recalls harrowing story narrated by Bandit Queen costume designer

Govind Namdev recalled how the costume designer of Bandit Queen was left shaken after listening to horrific details of Phoolan Devi's life.

By: Entertainment Desk

New Delhi | September 9, 2023 02:14 PM IST

2 min read

Seema Biswas played the titular role of Phoolan Devi in Shekhar Kapur directed Bandit Queen. (Photo: Express Archives)

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Bandit Queen, directed by Shekhar Kapur, was based on the life of dacoit-turned-politician Phoolan Devi. Actor Govind Namdev, who was a part of the film, recently revealed that Kapur shared daily updates from set with Phoolan Devi, who was in a nearby jail at the time. Namdev also remembered how the costume designer was deeply affected by Phoolan Devi’s harrowing account of her ordeals, leaving her shaken.

In an interview with Bollywood Hungama, Namdev said, “Each day we had to update Phoolan Devi, who was in Gwalior jail, about the day’s shooting progress as well as what was planned for future scenes. An assistant would go to brief Phoolan Devi and Dolly Ahluwalia, who was the costume designer, requested to go for the briefing one day. Shekhar Kapur agreed to this, and it was decided that Dolly will go. She went the next day, met her and when the briefing was done, she requested Phoolan Devi to tell her about her past.”

He continued, “Phoolan Devi took a pause and for about 40-45 minutes, she narrated her entire life story. She said that she and her family endured all kinds of torture and abuse. Listening to this, Dolly started crying. Phoolan Devi shouted at her: ‘Why are you crying? Whatever I have told you is just 50 percent of what happened.’”

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Namdev went on to narrate that Phoolan Devi then unbuttoned her shirt as Dolly watched, revealing the scars on her body. She showed Dolly how badly she’d been abused, and that her flesh had been gouged out of her body. The actor mentioned that he drew inspiration from that moment, and it influenced how he portrayed his role in Bandit Queens.

Bandit Queen starred Seema Biswas in the lead role. Manoj Bajpayee was also a part of the film.

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