MUMBAI: Kathryn Bigelow, who just wrapped up a week’s shooting for her film Zero Dark Thirty based on the killing of Osama bin Laden, has reportedly talked to Shabana Azmi to star in her film mired with controversies.

It is said that the Hurt Locker director had made up her mind to cast some prominent actors of Pakistani origin, but nothing transpired once she knew that she would not be able to shoot because she didn’t get the required permission.

Now she has decided to cast Indian actors. However, no name has yet been finalised as to who would essay the role of Osama bin Laden. Said a team member on condition of anonymity, "While we have finalised our American cast members, Kathryn is yet to take a final call on the actor who would be playing Osama."

The film that follows the capture of the world‘s most wanted terrorist was originally going to be shot in Abbottabad in Pakistan, where bin Laden was captured. However, after being denied access by the government, Bigelow moved production to the Indian town of Chandigarh.

There, the crew designed the area to look like the Pakistan town of Lahore and had extras dressed in Pakistani garb. Here too, the film faced protests from people who were against parts of India turned into that of Pakistan with their flag flying high. However, the problem was sorted out.

This isn‘t the first time that Bigelow has run into trouble. In January, the CIA opened an official investigation into the project over whether the Oscar-winning director and screenwriter Mark Boal had leaked classified material regarding the recent capture and assassination of the late al Qaeda leader.

Zero Dark Thirty is set to hit theatres later in 2012