Azmi puts on weight for 'Afterlife' role

Shabana Azmi has put on 55 pounds (25 kilograms) for her lead role in Gurinder Chadha’s It’s a Wonderful Afterlife.

The actress, who plays a Punjabi mother obsessed with marrying off her son, agreed to pile on the weight due to her respect for the film's director.

Azmi said: “I have indeed put on 25kg and I’m waddling around unrecognisable to all. Just the experience of working with Gurinder is enriching. She’s always in control of things without being bossy. That’s a remarkable quality in a director.”

Priyanka Chopra recently pulled out of Siddharth Anand's new film because the role would have required her to gain at least 44 pounds.

It's A Wonderful Afterlife, which began filming in London earlier this month, is being described as a cross between My Big Fat Greek Wedding and Shaun Of The Dead.

Jimi Mistry, Sally Hawkins and Zoe Wanamaker all recently agreed deals to star in the film.