WOW! This is really good news! I can't wait for this film. What's even more good is that Roland saw Company & Saathiya before signing him, so you see acclaimed directors ARE looking at bollywood films. For those of you curious about the storyline, read below.
(taken from indiatimes.com & filmfare.com)
Vivek Oberoi to play Udaji in Roland Joffe's 'The Invaders'! DOMINIC FERRAO
When Vivek Oberoi decides to do a film, everyone sits up and takes a better look. Especially since every film he takes up has an interesting, promising storyline. Although Vivek’s films haven’t done as well as expected, mostly drawing in the crowds only in the metros, the actor is still hot property. Even since the young star-son has stepped into the Bollywood arena, he’s excited attention not only the fairer audience, but in industrywallas too, who are constantly on the look out for a messiah to will finally give them that long awaited line of super-hits.
Now, apparently, filmmaker Roland Joffe, the well known director of Oscar winning films like ‘The Killing Fields’ and ‘The Mission’, has zeroed in on the youngster for an epic film based on Indian history. Titled ‘The Invaders’, the film will be based on the story of Maratha Mahaji Shinde who defeated the British army in 1779. Vivek will play the lead, Udaji, a brave Indian warrior, and will be pitted against a major Hollywood star in the film, who will play the part of James Stuart, the British Captain. However, the film will not be restricted to one period in time, and will not only travel beyond continents, but also beyond lives and lifetimes.
Vivek was all praise for Roland Joffe at the recent press conference held at ‘Land’s End’ hotel in the suburbs. Elaborating on how he signed the film, Vivek said, “Roland saw ‘Saathiya’ and ‘Company’ and then we met. I was very impressed by him. Inspite of being such a renowned filmmaker, he is so humble and down-to-earth. While I spoke to him, I realized that here was someone who was so experienced, but was still listening patiently to the opinions of a rank newcomer like me, and even taking time out to discuss them.”
Asked why he was taking up a historical role at a time when his films weren’t doing especially well – not to mention the fact that historicals didn’t hold much water at the box-office going by past records, Vivek replied, “I don’t believe in going according to statistics. I think it doesn’t make sense to go by the book. I take up a subject that interests me. If I feel good about it, I do it. And I have a feeling about this film. I think films are like women. The more unpredictable, the better!”
‘The Invaders’ will be shot over a six month period and will also have another major Bollywood heroine in the role of Taluja, a valiant spy girl in the Indian camp.
Vivek is currently busy shooting for his next film ‘Kyon… Ho Gaya Na’, a romantic comedy which also stars Amitabh Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai. Now if that isn’t even better company, nothing is!
|