Bhansali teams up with Madhu Mantena & RPG-Sa Re Ga Ma for Chenab Gandhi

Madhu Mantena who self-confessedly wears two hats as an independent producer and as the head of the film division of RPG-Sa Re Ga Ma, has just clinched a dream deal on his company’s behalf. “It was always a dream to work with Sanjay Leela Bhansali. And to get Mr. Bhansali on board for a film is for me like the ultimate for me as a producer. And this film gives me not just the chance to work with one of the finest filmmakers but also with the mighty Mr. Amitabh Bachchan,” says Madhu Mantena The project is an ambitious period film Chenab Gandhi to be made at an estimated budget of Rs. 35 crores. It will feature Mr. Bachchan in the title role with Vidya Balan and Hurman S Baweja playing other key roles. Sanjay Leela Bhansali will produce the film in collaboration with RPG-Sa Re Ga Ma while debutant Vibhu Puri will direct. Says Mantena, “Mr. Bhansali’s films like Devdas and Black, had a lot of period detailing that went a long way into making the goings-on look convincing. We hope to recreate an era in Chenab Gandhi with the same degree of conviction.” This would be the first of RPG-Sa Re Ga Ma’s projects to roll off to be followed by Abbas Tyrewala’s 1-800 Love which Madhu himself is producing in collaboration with RPG-Sa Re Ga Ma. “We also have Aparna Sen’s The Japanese Wife with Rahul Bose and Raima Sen ready for which we hope to tie up with a major international company,” informs Madhu.