Tina Turner: When the late icon visited temples in India to prepare for her role as Goddess Shakti in a movie
Tina Turner, the Queen of Rock’n Roll died on Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at the age of 83. While the legendary artist has made millions of fans worldwide with her powerful vocals, she has also appeared in a few movies as an actress. Speaking of which, Tina Turner was also supposed to essay the role of Goddess Shakti in the film by Merchant-Ivory. The movie was titled The Goddess. Turner visited many Indian temples in preparation for her role.
Read on to learn more.
When Tina Turner was preparing to be Goddess Shakti
According to a report by Juggernaut, the late Tina Turner came close to appearing as goddess Kali in a film set in ancient India in 2004. She even visited many temples in India along with Varanasi to find inspiration for her role. She opened up to Madhu Jain about her experience in India.
“But the more I saw here, the more I realized there was something I could relate to. Take away all the cars and the bikes, take away everything and you’re very close to a time in my own life.”
Tina Turner
According to a 2010 report by Hindustan Times, the Merchant Ivory film was supposed to be about the supernatural. The focus was on Goddess Shakti, who could manipulate past, present and future. It would also have explored the relationship between goddess Shakti and three Indians and a painter, which was supposed to be set by Matthew Modine. In order to prepare for her role, Turner took a tour of India. She reportedly took a tour of Varanasi, crossed the Ganga River, visited temples in South India and met actors, dancers and singers in the film industry.
The movie could not be made due to Ismail Merchant’s sudden death after the operation. Speaking of Tina, Merchant-Ivory called her ‘Goddess’.
“The film has such energy that only Tina could have played the lead role. I think she is natural; the greatest gift we have received in the world of music and dance. In real life she is also a goddess.”
Merchant Ivory
Although there was talk of the movie’s revival in 2010, the discussion soon fizzled out.
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Tina Turner: When the late icon visited temples in India to prepare for her role as Goddess Shakti in a movie
