Ace actor Mohanlal will play the lead role in "Pardeshi", a film which tells the tale of nearly 100 Pakistani passport holders living in Malappuram district of Kerala.

"The film will be directed by former legislator P.T. Kunhumohammed and also star leading actors like Srinivasan, Vijayaraghavan, Reshmi Gopalaswamy and Sweta Mohan," said producer Antony Perumbavoor.

"Pardeshi" tells the story of these hapless citizens who are living in Malappuram under constant fear of being extradited to Pakistan.

"The film is based on real life experiences of these people living in Malappuram. We plan to shoot the movie in Kerala and also along the India-Pakistan border," Perumbavoor told.

The 'muhurat' of the film was held Monday at the Kinfra Film and Video Park here where Mohanlal and Kunhumohammed among others were present.

The issue had gained prominence in 2004 when following a public outcry, the then Oommen Chandy government took it up with the central government and their deportation to Pakistan was stayed.

Most of these people, who are above 60 years, happened to be in other parts of the country on business and work and were branded as Pakistani citizens during partition because they were Muslims.

"Mohanlal plays the role of one such victim and the entire story revolves around this theme," Perumbavoor said.