Ben Kingsley, who won an Oscar for his portrayal of Indian independence hero Mohandas Gandhi, will be taking on another role in the country's rich history.
Kingsley is slated to play Shah Jahan, the Mogul emperor who ordered the construction of the Taj Mahal in the upcoming 'Taj'. Former Miss World and one of Bollywood's biggest names, Aishwarya Rai [photos], will play his wife Mumtaz Mahal.
The Taj Mahal was built by the Mogul emperor between 1632 and 1654 for Mumtaz after she died while she was giving birth to their 14th child.
The Taj Mahal is known around the world for its beauty with a style that combines elements from Persian, Indian, and Islamic architectural styles.
However, not much more is known about the famed monument in the West, including the fact that soon after its completion the emperor was deposed by his son and imprisoned at the nearby Agra Fort so there is plenty of story to be told.
"With my passion for India and the Taj Mahal now becoming one of the Seven Wonders of the World, I am compelled to ask 'why' and 'how' this scream of grief frozen in marble came into being," says Kingsley.
Kingsley's own production company, SBK pictures, is currently recruiting a director for the script penned by British writer David Ashton.
The actor has travelled to India to attend the International Film Festival of India and is starting the process of seeking permission to film in and around Taj and at other historical monuments in India.
Filming is scheduled to begin in mid- to late 2010.
Ben Kingsley, who won an Oscar for his portrayal of Indian independence hero Mohandas Gandhi, will be taking on another role in the country's rich history.
