Deepa Mehta Announces Production of Her New Feature Film "Komagata Maru"
TORONTO, Oct. 9 /CNW-AsiaNet/ --
Deepa Mehta announces production of her new feature film "Komagata Maru"
Hamilton-Mehta Productions announced today, Oscar Nominated Director Deepa
Mehta's exciting new feature film, KOMAGATA MARU.
Komagata Maru is an epic film based on a true story surrounding the
voyage of the ship Komagata Maru from India to Vancouver in the early part of
the last century with 376 passengers on board seeking a new life in the
promise land. It is a film of high level government intrigue, duplicity,
racism, spying, military engagements, court battles, sedition and
assassination. It is a journey of one man's courage that challenged the
largest Empire in the world. Set in the year 1914, the film spans two
continents. It bares open the heroism of Gurdit Singh, who dares to have an
impossible dream - a life of freedom, equality, and dignity. The film also
depicts the martyrdom of Mewa Singh.
One of the Indian Film Industry's biggest actors, Akshay Kumar, has
confirmed he will be playing the lead, Gurdit Singh, in this collaboration
with Deepa Mehta. Talks are also underway with various actors including
Hollywood A-listers making this truly an international project.
"This is an extremely important opportunity for me to reveal a
significant moment in Canadian history and illustrate the steadfast bravery of
the Sikh community who sacrificed so much to help create a more tolerant
community within my adopted country", says award winning Director, Deepa
Mehta.
Akshay Kumar says, "I am not used to working with Oscar Nominated
Directors so it is a great privilege to work with Deepa Mehta. The subject of
this film has moved me, as it is a true representation and a testimony to
human struggles for freedom, justice and equality. I want to portray this real
life tragedy to the world identifying how injustice was done to innocent
people. It is an honour for me to play one of the bravest Sikhs, Gurdit Singh,
in this tragic forgotten moment in history. I salute those brave souls who
sacrificed their lives for justice and equality today."
Komagata Maru is a Canadian production being produced by Hamilton-Mehta
Productions Inc. in association with Akshay Kumar's home production, Hariom
Entertainment. The film's budget ranges between $30-35 million dollars
approximately and is currently in pre-production and will begin full
production in September 2009. The story will be filmed in various locations
around the world. The film will be distributed in Canada by Mongrel Media.
SOURCE Hamilton-Mehta Productions
/CONTACT: Hamilton Productions Inc. (at) david(at)hamiltonmehta.com/
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