By Jilawatan

Oscar-winning British actor Ben Kingsley, who portrayed Indian independence hero Mohandas Gandhi, this week announced that he will be returning to India to film Taj,a movie about India’s Mogul emperor who, for the love of his wife, ordered the construction of the famous landmark, the Taj Mahal.

Kingsley will play Shah Jahan while India’s Aishwarya Rai Bachchan will take on the role as Mumtaz Mahal in the US$30 million production, Kingsley’s production company SBK Pictures announced.

By Jilawatan

Ben Kingsley, famous for his Oscar-winning portrayal of Indian independence hero Mohandas Gandhi, is reaching deeper into the country’s history with a new role as the Mogul emperor who ordered the construction of the Taj Mahal.

Kingsley will star as Shah Jahan in “Taj,” 27 years after his award-winning performance in “Gandhi.” Indian superstar and former Miss World Aishwarya Rai Bachchan will play Mumtaz Mahal in the $25-30 million production, the British actor’s production company, SBK Pictures, said in a statement Wednesday.

The Taj Mahal was built by Mogul Emperor Shah Jahan between 1632 and 1654 for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died while she was giving birth to their 14th child. Soon after its completion, Shah Jahan was deposed by his son and imprisoned at the nearby Agra Fort.