Politically correct

Prakash Jha is in Greece to complete the script of the Ranbir starrer, Rajneeti. Ranbir will have a special look in the political film, which will be entirely shot in Bhopal

With the exception of one day's shoot in the US, Prakash Jha plans to shoot his political parable Rajneeti entirely in Bhopal.

Prakash, who has just collected the prestigious Greek Kostas Kyriazis award in Athens, has now taken five days off to be in Nafplio, 220 kms south of Athens, to finish the script of the Ranbir Kapoor starrer, Rajneeti. The film will combine elements from Rajiv Gandhi's life with the Mahabharat.

Speaking from Nafplio, the prolific political director said, "Rajneeti will give Ranbir the chance to do what his other films may not have given him the chance to do. It's a very challenging role and since he plays a political figure, I've to make sure the script completely supports him. I earlier planned to make a quick film (probably featuring Amitabh Bachchan) before starting Rajneeti. But now I'm going straight into Rajneeti."

The film will feature Ranbir as a student from an Indian political dynasty studying in the US. He's summoned back to the country to take over the political empire in Delhi after a crisis in the family.

Prakash said, "Ranbir will have two co-stars opposite him: an Indian and an American actress. We've almost finalised both the ladies. They are A-listers from Hollywood and Bollywood."

Prakash has just won the Greek Kostas Kyriazis award for contribution to human values. He's the first filmmaker to win this award. The only other Indian to have received this award is Barkha Dutt.

Commenting on why he thinks he received the award, Prakash said, "That may be because my cinema has always been a mirror of social values. I was asked to bring along one of my works to receive the award. I was thinking of taking one of my earlier films. But the director of the Los Angeles film festival, who's Greek, suggested that I take my film Apaharan. I wondered why he asked me to take Aprahan. But to my surprise I found the Greek audience instantly connecting with the political scenario in Bihar even without the Greek subtitles. After they watched the film, the Q & A session lasted for nearly two hours. The Greeks could easily identify with goons getting into politics."

Prakash is aiming for the same kind of universality in Rajneeti. "I want to use Ranbir's character to show the close connection between Hindu mythology, Indian politics and power-play that's present in every country and culture," added Prakash.

Ranbir and Prakash are currently working on a special look for the actor in the film.

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