‘Class’ fame Anjali Sivaraman bags lead role in Mira Nair’s international film ‘AMRI’

Acclaimed filmmaker Mira Nair has finally found the face of legendary artist Amrita Sher-Gil for her ambitious international project ‘AMRI’. After an extensive worldwide casting search involving several well-known Bollywood names, actor Anjali Sivaraman has been chosen to play the iconic painter in the much-anticipated biographical drama.According to Variety India, finding the perfect actor to portray Amrita Sher-Gil was reportedly a long and demanding process. Mira Nair, along with celebrated casting director Dilip Shankar, auditioned more than 100 actresses from different parts of the world. The search reportedly stretched across Mumbai, London, and New York, considering both established stars and emerging talents for the role.Actors like Triptii Dimri, Janhvi Kapoor, Ananya Panday, Wamiqa Gabbi, and Tanya Maniktala were among the names believed to be in contention. However, Mira Nair ultimately chose Anjali Sivaraman for her striking resemblance to Sher-Gil and the emotional intensity she brought to the character.Anjali Sivaraman, who gained recognition through projects like the Netflix series ‘Class’ and the film ‘Cobalt Blue’, is now set to headline one of the most ambitious biopics in recent years. Her casting in ‘AMRI’ marks a major milestone in her career and positions her alongside an internationally acclaimed ensemble.The upcoming film will chronicle the life of Amrita Sher-Gil between 1915 and 1941, capturing her evolution as one of India’s most influential modern artists. The story is expected to follow her journey from studying art in Paris to eventually returning to India, where her work profoundly captured the lives of ordinary people, especially women and the underprivileged.Born to a Punjabi Sikh father and a Hungarian mother, Sher-Gil became one of the most celebrated painters of her time, often being compared to iconic Mexican artist Frida Kahlo because of her fearless individuality and artistic vision. Mira Nair has reportedly described Sher-Gil as a woman who lived entirely on her own terms.‘AMRI’ is currently being shot in Budapest and will later move to several locations across India. Apart from Anjali Sivaraman, the film also stars Jim Sarbh and Hollywood actor Emily Mortimer in key roles. With Mira Nair at the helm and a globally mounted production backing the project, ‘AMRI’ is already generating significant excitement among cinema and art enthusiasts alike.