Sushmita holds fort

g_prithwish@dnaindia.net
Finally, the shooting of the much delayed Sushmita Sen directorial Jhansi Ki Rani is about to start. Sushmita is currently busy with her crew, aiming to get some authentic period sets erected at the Nitin Desai studios in Karjat. The film is expected to begin  shooting post the monsoons.

Jhansi Ki Rani is about the life of the valiant queen Laxmi Bai of Jhansi. She is represented in history books as a warrior queen who challenged the British East India Company when they refused to recognise her adopted child as the heir to her kingdom.

“Sushmita with Nitin Desai is busy getting forts constructed, where the shooting will start after the monsoons,” says an insider. “Currently, the team is creating the historic Gwalior fort and other palaces. Sushmita is very happy that the ball is finally rolling for Jhansi Ki Rani.”

The film will see Sushmita donning the director’s hat. It is being produced by Sushmita and Ketan Desai, son of the late filmmaker Manmohan Desai.

Sushmita has dedicated the film to her dear friend Rajiv Narayan, who died of cancer recently. “Sushmita wants her project to be big and grand. The war sequences will see lots of people and animals in it. We don’t have that space in Karjat. So, these shots will be taken in a location in China,” the source adds.

Sushmita, who will play Laxmi Bai herself, is currently finalising the rest of the cast.