By Jilawatan

Aishwarya Rai has yet to consent to Ben Kingsley’s long awaited period drama Taj. She has been offered to play the role of Mumtaz Mahal in the film.

“Aishwarya Rai Bachchan will play Mumtaz in the movie, if she approves the script and loves it,” said Sir Ben Kingsley who is in Goa as guest of honor for the 40th International Film Festival of India (IFFI).

“Daniela (his wife) would be playing Kandahari Begum, Shah Jahan’s first wife in the film,” he added.

Aishwarya confirmed from Delhi that she has received the final draft.

“After ‘The Last Legion’, Sir Ben and I were keen to work together in another project. He has now come with the final draft and he has just sent it over to me. Once we agree on everything, we will take the project forward. He will start scouting for the locations soon,” she said.

Kingsley will play emperor Shah Jahan who built Taj Mahal for his beloved Mumtaz. The final script of the film was wrapped a week ago, says Kingsley.

The Oscar winner actor and filmmaker is aware of both the magnitude and sensitivity of a project such as a film on Shah Jahan.

“I suppose it’s very foolish or very brave attempt to do a movie on Shah Jahan. If I can show him in a human way, if I can portray him as a man amongst us – I might be able to add to many explanations on how Taj was built.”

The $25 to $27 million budget film will be shot in Agra and other important sites in India. Kingsley will utilize his trip to India for raising fund for the film which is only partially financed.

“During my few days in India, we have to raise funds. It’s not fully financed.”

Kingsley will be attending Bachchan production’s Paa premiere in Mumbai on December 3 as a special guest of Amitabh Bachchan.