Gaurav Dubey (MID-DAY; August 12, 2015)

Not many biopics have been made on political leaders as they run the risk of raking up buried controversies or committing ‘sacrilege’ if not made well. However, sources suggest that plans are afoot to make a film on Uttar Pradesh’s ex chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, months after a biopic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi was announced.

A source working on the project says, “The film titled Netaji… Mulayam Singh Yadav will trace his life journey as a village simpleton to a tall leader in Indian politics. The script has already been locked and Mulayam ji ’s office has green-lighted the project. We are now hunting for actors and are in talks with some big names in Bollywood for the same.”

Small-time producer Vivek Dixit has been signed to helmed the project which he will also fund along with Sandeep Shukla and Sarvjit Singh. An announcement regarding the biopic is expected to be made in Lucknow in a day or two in the presence of UP politician and Yadav’s younger brother, Shivpal Singh Yadav. The makers are considering Rahul Bose for the titular role while Naseeruddin Shah is likely to play socialist Ram Manohar Lohia, who is known as Yadav’s mentor.

Shukla confirms the news and says, “We have got a goahead from Mulayam ji himself and the project will go on floors soon.”