This story is from December 21, 2007

Ash is a raw Indian beauty: Ben

Gautam Buragohain / TNN / Dec 21, 2007, 00:00 IST

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Sir Ben Kingsley talks about making a film on the Taj Mahal and wishes Gandhi was still alive.

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Having designs on the Taj: Sir Ben Kingsley (TOI Photo) Twenty-five years after he immortalised Gandhi on the big screen, Sir Ben Kingsley, one of the world’s most revered actors with four Academy Award nominations, is preparing for yet another milestone to add on to his illustrious career.
And this time, the actor who was born as Krishna Bhanji, is getting ready to produce and star in a film based on the Taj Majal.In an exclusive chat from London he unravels his grand plan of shooting in India and his strong Indian connection.
Why this sudden obsession with the Taj Mahal and why not any of the other Seven Wonders of the World? “Well, ever since I did Gandhi 25 years back, I have been toying with the idea of making a movie on this eternal love story,” he reveals. “What attracted me is the historical background which is intriguing and emotional. It’s a story about turmoil, betrayal and jealousy, violence and love. It is a beautiful paradox where passion turned into marble. It has all the ingredients to make it a blockbuster.” He is going to play Shah Jehan and says his screenwriters have done a marvellous job by putting together all the research material.
“The movie will be articulate and highly dramatic. But I will only be able to give it a finishing touch once I land in India. And that will happen seven months from now.”

Is he aware that few Indian filmmakers have attempted movies on the Taj, and they weren’t successful? Like Akbar Khan’s, which bombed at the box office, and the other by ad filmmaker Bharatbala whose Taj Mahal was shelved. “That’s why we are doing proper research before embarking on this ambitious project,” he explains.
And where will they be shooting? “Agra for sure, we are scouting for more locations and will shoot in other places too.” Why did he choose Aishwarya for the role of Mumtaz? “Oh, isn’t she gorgeous,” Sir Ben asks. “It was a pleasure working with her in The Last Legion, she’s a shining example of raw Indian beauty, and more importantly, she fits the role of Mumtaz well.” And Bipasha? “Yes, she will also be in the movie. Besides that my wife, who is a Brazilian actress, will play an important role and there will be other Europeans cast as well. I always believe that having a mixed star cast helps the film

When I did Schindler’s List we had an American, Jewish and European cast, and the same was with Gandhi.”
Why is he focusing on India? “Well, the Westerners think modern India is just two years old, that’s ridiculous, it’s a 2,000-year-old, culturally-rich country that has now evolved as an economic super power, and it’s the right time to invest in this new economic superpower,” he explains.
What has he heard about Bollywood? “I’m not very familiar with the actors. The only Indian movie I have sat through and watched was Mira Nair’s The Namesake and I loved it,” he says. Lastly, is Gandhi a landmark in his career? “I won’t say it’s a landmark because I had done some great work before, but it was a beautiful and important role of my career. In this era of violence and war, we need Gandhi’s preaching. I wish he was alive today, the world would have been a better place to live in.”

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