Preity Zinta may not play Sonia Gandhi in Jagmohan Mundhra's new film on the Congress party chief as he sees "only an Italian actress playing the part of Sonia in my film".

"In fact, the quest for the ideal Sonia has just begun for me. It never occurred to me at any point that Preity would suit the role, though she is a great friend," said Mundhra, "It was pure media speculation, probably arising out Preity's dimpled smile, which does resemble Sonia's."

However, Mundhra did not rule out the idea of casting Preity if she was really keen on playing the part.

"If Preity is indeed interested in playing the role, I will put her through a screen test. But I would prefer an Italian actress to anyone else. In fact, there is one actress already under consideration," he remarked.

The story of "Sonia", says Mundhra, is not one of political intrigue but essentially the story of an Italian woman drawn to India for the love of a man.

"It is the love story of an Italian woman that starts in 1964 from Italy to her education in Cambridge and subsequently moves to India, where the love of her life and destiny beckons her. It ends with her turning down the post of prime minister of India."

The film, to be based on Rashid Kidwai's biography on Gandhi's life, has reportedly generated considerable curiosity in political circles.

Mundhra, however, revealed that he not heard anything from Gandhi, though he is looking forward to meeting her some day.

"I am sure Sonia Gandhi is aware that a film is being made on her life. You have to live under a rock in India to be unaware of such a development with the number of media reports that have appeared on the prospective film so far," he said.

"Besides my producer and I have spoken to a number of senior Congress leaders. I am sure word has already spread around."

Mundhra plans to start shooting the film in January after his movie "Provoked" is released in December.

Prior to that he intends to finalise the cast for the film, including the actors who will essay the roles of Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Sanjay Gandhi and Maneka Gandhi. "These actors will be mostly from India," he said.