'Begum Jaan': Hindi remake of Bengali film 'Rajkahini' to star Vidya Balan

Vidya Balan is all set to play a brothel madam in Begum Jaan, the Hindi remake of a Bengali period film Rajkahini. The film is being set at the backdrop of the Indo-Pak partition.

The original, directed by Srijit Mukherjee, saw popular Bengali actor Rituparna Sengupta playing the title role. Begum Jaan will explore the implication on a brothel which is situated on the border of India and Pakistan. The original was situation around the Bengal partition.

Mukherjee will be making his debut as a director in Bollywood with the remake of his own film. It is being produced by Mahesh Bhatt.

“This time it is set at the backdrop of India-Pakistan,” Mukherjee told Firstpost.

In the original, apart from Rituparna Sengupta there were other popular Bengali actors playing pivotal roles.

Mukherjee reveals that he is not going to repeat the cast from the original in the Hindi remake. “The pre-production is on. We will be able to announce the other cast soon,” he added.

Vidya Balan is currently shooting for Sujoy Ghosh’s Kahaani 2. Makers of Begum Jaan are waiting for her to finish her shoot before they start.

“I think the shooting will start by mid of June,” said Mukherjee.