An answer to Mayawati is how Tigmanshu Dhulia chooses to describe his next, Jai Ramji, an Arjun Rampal starrer

Tigmanshu Dhulia has completed work on Sahib, Biwi Aur Gangster and has begun work on his next, titled Jai Ramji.

The film, a political thriller, stars Arjun Rampal, Irrfan Khan and Randeep Hooda in lead roles. The female cast is yet to be finalised.

"Jai Ramji is a political thriller/gangster flick set in Eastern Uttar Pradesh and is about 'the great return of Brahmans'. It's an answer to Mayawati." Strong, controversial words. Couldn't that land his film in trouble?

"Who is scared of controversies?" he shoots back, nonchalantly.

The director makes his acting debut in Anurag Kashyap's Gangs Of Wasseypur. Point out that his film seems quite similar in that it is also a gangster film based in UP.

Was he inspired? He retorts, "I was born and brought up in Allahabad. Why would I need an inspiration from Anurag to make such a film?"

The film goes on floors on April 15 and will be shot in and around Lucknow.

Says Dhulia, "The shooting will continue till September as Irrfan is simultaneously shooting for Life Of Pi and Mission: Impossible 4. I will have to work out dates accordingly."

The director is willing to wait for Irrfan's dates instead of opting for another actor because he believes Irrfan is his best bet.

Delayed, phir se

Tigmanshu Dhulia's Shaagird faces yet another delay. "The film, slated to release March 11 will now release on May 6. He reasons, "Holi and the World Cup finals are tough contenders. And April has big releases every week. May 6 seemed an ideal date."