by Subhash K Jha

Sushmita Sen has repeatedly said she would love to be part of historical film.

Unfortunately, that one project hasn't materialised... until now. If all goes well, Sush will play Emperor Ashoka's fifth wife in a film on the Mauryan emperor that Pinjar director, Dr Chandraprakash Dwivedi is about to make.

Dwivedi has been working around-the-clock on the project.

"I've met Sushmita for Ashoka, and not for Jhansi Ki Rani, as was reported. And she's shown a keen interest. It's a role only she can play." Two years ago, Sushmita had been offered an item song in Santosh Sivan's Asoka, which she turned down. "If I do a historical, I'd want to be more integral to it," argued the actress.

So what's the truth about Jhansi Ki Rani? Apparently, Sushmita is sold on the idea of playing Rani Lakshmibai; she has been researching the part and grabbing every book available on the subject.

Elaborates Dwivedi, "But I haven't offered to make Jhansi Ki Rani, with Sushmita, or anyone else. As far as I know, Ketan Mehta is making the film, with Aishwarya Rai.

This is nothing but an attempt to play up the two actresses. Let me state once and for all... I've no plans of making Jhansi Ki Rani. I'm working on Prithviraj-Sanjukta, which will have Sunny Deol; and Ashoka, which may star a major Hollywood actor."

Dwivedi admits that Sushmita has spoken to him about Jhansi Ki Rani. "She's keenly interested in the character, and seemed very impressed by my historical research. She asked me numerous questions about it. Sushmita may ask me to write the film for her, which I'd have no problems agreeing to."