"Mary Kom" director Omung Kumar says that he plans to take his biopic based on the life of Sarabjit Singh, an Indian convict who died in a Pakistani prison, to the prestigious Cannes International Film Festival in France next year.

"National Award was unexpected for me and I have always thought about Oscars so let's see. We're thinking to open it (the film) in Cannes on May 20," said Kumar.

Sarabjit Singh, an Indian farmer who was convicted of terrorism and spying in Pakistan, was sentenced to death. He was attacked by inmates at a prison in Lahore in April 2013, and died a few days later.

The biopic is from the point of view of Sarabjit's sister Dalbir Kaur, to be played by Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who endured severe hardship in trying to get her brother released. The title role will be played by Randeep Hooda.

Kumar says her wish is that Sarabjit biopic gets the same appreciation like 'Mary Kom' or perhaps even more.


"Obviously there is pressure as 'Mary Kom' had delivered and now people want to know if Sarabjit is just another biopic or will rise above it. We're wishing for and hoping that it works off well," he said.

Kumar will start start the shooting of the film in the first week of December in Punjab.