British Parsi actor may play Rajiv

MUMBAI: If all goes well for Jagmohan Mundhra, his film Sonia, based on Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s life, will rise to a remarkable level of authenticity before a single scene is shot. Mundhra says the man he is considering for Rajiv Gandhi’s role, British actor Zubin Varla, “bears resemblance to the former prime minister with his striking features, prominent nose, and receding hairline”.

Mundhra told DNA on telephone that he and Varla are still discussing the project. “Though it is too early to comment, Zubin is perfect for the role,” he said.

A Parsi, Varla essayed the role of Judas in the 1996 London staging of Jesus Christ Superstar and played the protagonist Salim in the 2001 stage adaptation of Salman Rushdie’s Midnight’s Children.

“It is essential for actors to bear a resemblance to the characters they play,” said author Rasheed Kidwai, whose book on Sonia Gandhi has been adapted into the movie. “In Zubin’s case, even the accent is right. He just has to put on some weight and we have our Rajiv Gandhi.”

Italian actress Monica Belluci is being considered for the lead role while Perizaad Zorabian will play Indira Gandhi. Other names include Bollywood actor Zayed Khan, who is being considered for Sanjay Gandhi’s role.

The movie chronicles four decades in Sonia Gandhi’s life, beginning from the time she met her future husband in her student days to her present role as leader of India’s oldest political party. To be produced with a budget of nearly Rs25 crore, the film is slated to hit cinema halls on December 9, Sonia Gandhi’s birthday.