It seems Mallika loves to play royal historical characters and why not... she is just living up to her name. She is all set to play a character of a begum in Tigmanshu Dhulia’s forthcoming film Begum.The two film old director Tigmanshu Dhulia has written the script and will direct Begum . Mallika’s close pal said, “Tigmanshu met Mallika and narrated the script. Mallika loved the idea of playing a Begum and instantly said a yes to the project.”
Tigmanshu revealed, “I originally wanted her to play the character of Tess from Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the D’Urbervilles . But Mallika was not too keen as two films on the same subject have already been made. Then I spoke to her about Begum.”
Carrying on his current pet project, the Haasil director related, “I had read Amrit Lal Nagar’s book, “ Saath Ghungat Wala Mukhada , which is based on the life of Begum Sumroo in 1730. It is the rise of this lady as she moves her way to the top. It has a lot of intrigue and I thought it is perfect for Mallika. Luckily for me, she too thought the same.”
It is believed that more than the character or anything else it was the star cast of the film that attracted Mallika. Mallika will be sharing screen space with Hollywood actor John Rhys Davies who was seen in films like Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and The Lord of the Rings . The director who won critical acclaim for his last film, Charas disclosed, “Although John has okayed the project, the nitty gritties of financial remuneration and dates are still to be worked out. We are on the look out for two more foreign actors and a lead bollywood actor.”
Begum will be produced by Zee Telefilms and the shooting will commence next year.
