Tina Turner dies at 83: Here’s how the musical superstar had an India connect

American singer Tina Turner died at the age of 83 on Wednesday. She was one of the top recording artists of all time. Besides winning eight Grammys in her career as a musician, she also acted in a few films.

Do you know that Tina came close to starring as Goddess Kali in a Merchant-Ivory film in 2004?

According to The Juggernaut report, the legendary singer visited temples in India for inspiration for the role. Talking about India, she said, ‘But the more I saw here, the more I realized that there was something I could relate to. Take away all the cars and the bikes, take it all away and you are very close to a time in my own life.’
She spoke about the movie in an interview with Eastern Eye and said, ‘I was told about a year ago that Merchant Ivory were doing a film which had something to do with legends and goddesses, I said, yes, yes." “Everyone expects Tina Turner to come back with a new album, but I will give them this movie.’

The film, titled ‘Goddess’, dealt with the supernatural. It was about the goddess Shakti, who has the power to manipulate the past, present, and future.

Tina Turner visited Varanasi and temples in South India, took a trip across the river Ganga, and met actors, dancers, and singers in the film industry to prepare for her role, according to a Hindustan Times report.

The film could not be made due to Ismail Merchant's death after surgery.

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