The Demo Site

First it was Ketan Mehta's Rani Of Jhansi featuring Aishwarya Rai, which by the way got put on hold. Then came Sushmita Sen announcing her directorial debut in a film based on the life of Rani Laxmibai. And now the new buzz around the block is Deepika and Akshay are to be cast in Firoz Nadiadwala's production, Rani Laxmibai.

Interestingly, neither Deepika nor Akshay have finalised their dates for the shoot but according to Mumbai Mirror the producers are keen on casting the actress in the lead as Laxmibai and Akshay Kumar as Tatya Tope. The film will be written from Tope's point of view and will revolve around his friendship with Rani Laxmibai and Nanasaheb Peshwa.

As a part of the 100th anniversary of the first war of Independence, the ministry has commissioned filmmaker Vinay Shukla to direct the film. According to a source, "Deepika Padukone has given her assent to the film. She is extremely thrilled about the role."

When questioned about the competition from other similar projects Shukla stated, "My story is told from Tope's point of view and revolves around his friendship with Rani Laxmibai and Nanasaheb Peshwa."