Another portrayal of Indian struggle

Khan, whose performance in lead role in the mega film Lagaan, is back in yet another epic movie The Rising directed by Mehta in the backdrop of the 1857 Sepoy Mutiny that sowed the seeds of Indian freedom movement against the British Raj. Interestingly, Laagan, which too was a film about the struggle against the British colonial rule, had created tremendous hype across India.

Mehta, one of the acclaimed directors in parallel movie category, had made his previous film Sardar on the life of India's first Home Minister and 'iron man' Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, two years back, starring accomplished actor Paresh Rawal in lead role.

Besides Aamir Khan, the multi-starrer The Rising also features Aishwariya Rai, Rani Mukherjee and British actor Toby Stevens who recently played in the latest James Bond film Die Another Day with Pierce Brosnan.

In The Rising, whose 'muhurat' was given ironically by Prince Charles, the symbol of British Royalty, Khan plays the role of legendary historic figure Mangal Pandey who revolted against the East India Company, the precursor of British imperial rule in India.

The film, however, is also about the friendship between Mangal Pandey and a British army officer, a role played by Stevens, says director Mehta.

Asked if The Rising, an Indo-British joint production, is anti-British, Mehta replies, 'it is pro-human.' The film, produced by Bobby Bedi, will show how the friendship between Mangal Pandey and the British army officer comes under stress.

Stevens, who was present on the occasion of the 'muhurat' shot in Bombay recently, said his is a character in the film who is 'torn between his sense of duty towards East Company and sympathy for the Indians.'

Aamir Khan says he had to do a lot of research into the character of Mangal Pandey as available in documented history as well as the oral literature about his activities before readying himself for the role. The star actor is also reported to be on a steady vegetarian diet to facilitate his portrayal of the role.

A seasoned star, Khan said he felt a little shaky before appearing in the 'muhurat' shot of The Rising in the presence of Prince Charles, but was happy that the Prince of Wales made it to the occasion.

The shooting of the film, already delayed by a surgery on Ketan Mehta, is likely to begin in January and is expected to be over by May next year. It will also fulfill the director's project for which he had been reportedly waiting for the last half a decade.

The Rising will also put Aamir Khan's acting prowess to test. The 'muhurat' shot of the film ended with his dialogue 'India's rising and nobody and nothing can stop it.' One hopes Khan too rises to the challenge of essaying the role.

It is not yet clear if Khan's is a conscious decision to act in a parallel film. But it is certainly in keeping with the emerging trend among Bollywood stars steeped in commercial movies.