New Delhi, Feb. 2 -- Long before 'Bandit Queen' became a defining moment in Indian cinema, Neena Gupta had already imagined herself stepping into its bruising, history-altering world.

The veteran actor has now revealed that she had auditioned for the lead role in Shekhar Kapur's landmark 1994 film, a part that eventually became a breakthrough performance for Seema Biswas.

Speaking candidly in an exclusive interview with ANI, Gupta reflected on her early years in Bombay and recalled the time when Bandit Queen was being cast. She shared that she had actively pursued the role of Phoolan Devi, the central character whose life story formed the basis of the film.

"I went to Bombay in 1993. I went in 1991, but I didn't feel like it," she said...