Aishwarya's film will release at Cannes 2016!

Sarabjit at Cannes

The film is expected to premiere at the film festival next year

Nayandeep Rakshit

That Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is now part of the Sarabjit Singh biopic and will play Dalbir Kaur, the sister of the slain Indian farmer convicted by Pakistan's Supreme Court of spying for India, is common knowledge. What isn't, is that while it is Sarabjit's story, it will focus more on Dalbir's tireless struggle to save her brother.

Director Omung Kumar says, "Super excited that I got my Dalbir Kaur. Aishwarya is a fabulous actress, and I'm so happy that she will be in this film." Considering the project has changed helmers and actresses quite often, this is a development that spells progress for this story. "The narration really touched her and that's why she said yes immediately. Ash had tears in her eyes while I narrated the script."

The real Dalbir Kaur is "delighted" with Omung's choice. She says, "I have full faith in her and I am sure that she will do justice to my character and bring out the real emotions behind my struggle," she said.

While Ash has been locked in, the search for Sarabjit continues. Says our source, "Omung wants the biopic to look authentic. He is looking for someone who looks similar to Sarabjit. He has few names in mind. If not them, Omung might get a newcomer on board for the role. But it is essentially a story of Dalbir's struggle."

Shooting is expected to begin towards year-end. An insider from the production revealed, "We are looking at a start-to-finish schedule of about 70 days. The team will go to Punjab on a recce now and will camp there from October onwards to complete the film in one schedule." Now that Karan Johar's Ae Dil Hai Mushkil has been pushed a bit, Ash can accommodate Sarabjit in her busy schedule.

The source further revealed, "The film is expected to be completed by December and Omung and Ash are aiming for a May 2016 release. In all probability, Sarabjit will release at Cannes next year."

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