Paris Hilton is set to play Mother Teresa. The hotel heiress is wanted to portray the saintly charity worker by award-wining Indian director T Rajeevnath in a biopic on the nun's life. Rajeevnath got the idea to cast Paris in the unlikely role after being impressed by her when she refused to strip off for Playboy magazine.

He is quoted by the Indo-Asian News Service as saying: "My agents in California have contacted Paris Hilton." Despite the film-maker's eagerness to cast Paris as Mother Teresa, the sexy socialite - who inadvertently appeared in her own X-rated home movie, 'One Night In Paris' - will have to battle it out with several other actresses to land the part.

Rajeevnath also revealed the successful star will have her past scrutinised before filming begins on the project - which is being shot in West Bengal. He added: "Although there are a number of actresses willing to play the role of Mother Teresa - the most widely respected and loved person - the history of the actress who is finally chosen for the role would have to be analysed thoroughly before she is chosen."