Filmmaker Ketan Mehta, whose upcoming film Rang Rasiya is based on legendary painter Raja Ravi Varma's life, says his next project would be on Rani Laxmibai, followed by another on last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar.
Mehta has earlier made a number of movies on historical personalities like Sardar, a biopic of freedom fighter Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and Mangal Pandey, which had Aamir Khan in the title role. "Actually Mangal Pandey was a three-part series. It was designed as a trilogy. It starts with Mangal Pandey followed by Rani Laxmibai, ending with Bahadur Shah Zafar," said Mehta.
"Once Rang Rasiya is released, I will start with the Rani Laxmibai project and once I am through with it I will start the next one because I can do only one project at a time," said the filmmaker. And who will play Rani Laxmibai, the queen of Jhansi who fought bravely against British rule? "Nothing is finalised yet ... talks are on with Aishwarya Rai. A lot of international cast will also be seen in the film," Mehta revealed. "It will be a big project with international finance and co-producers. The script is ready and shooting will start as soon as other formalities are over," he added.
The film on Ravi Varma, set for a July release, is a bilingual, Rang Rasiya in Hindi and Colours of Passion in English. The movie was showcased at the recently held Cannes Film Festival, where Mehta was also honoured as an Officer Of The Order Of Arts And Literature – a recognition by the French government to people who have contributed to the enrichment of art and literature. The award will be presented in August.
"The film got an overwhelming response at Cannes. As a result, it has been invited to various film festivals across the globe," Mehta said.
Actor Randeep Hooda, who has earlier starred in D, plays the lead role in Rang Rasiya, while Nandana Sen plays Sugandha - Ravi Varma'a muse. "Though Randeep is known for his action image, he is an incredible actor. I met Randeep and saw his acting skills that made me sign him. He is one of the finest actors of the present times," Mehta said.
The film is an adaptation of the novel titled Raja Ravi Varma by Marathi novelist Ranjit Desai.
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