What is Amitabha Bachchan doing in Chenab Gandhi?

After the critical and commercial success of Black, Bachchan and Bhansali will reunite for the latter’s production, period film Chenab Gandhi. ‘The film is based on North West Frontier Province freedom fighter Abdul Gaffar Khan, widely known as Frontier Gandhi. Amitabh Bachchan will be mouthing heavy Urdu lines in the film and will also sport a beard, kajal and wear Pathani suits,’ informs a source. The movie will go on the floors in February 2010 and in true SLB style, it has a big budget.Sanjay Leela Bhansali had initially cast Hurman Baweja who was replaced by John Abraham and now Rajeev Khandelwal has been confirmed for the role.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali saw him in the rushes of Peter Gaya Kaam Se where he has long hair and chose him for the role. If he cuts his hair, he loses the role. He has to do a lot of research for the role and is extremely nervous about sharing screen space with Mr. Bachchan so early on in his career. He will play his aide in the film.Though SLB is not directing the film, he is completely involved in his assistant Vibhu Puri’s film. Vibhu Puri was his assistant on Saawariyaa and also assisted Vishal Bhardwaj on The Blue Umbrella. The film will be shot in studios in Mumbai and will wrap up in 2-3 schedules.

This is Vidya Balan’s second film with Amitabh Bachchan after R. Balki’s Paa. She is the only female character in the movie but nothing much is known about her role. Let us hope that Chenab Gandhi turns out to be an interesting lesson in history.