Ketan Mehta Signs Nawazuddin Siddiqui For 'Mountain Man'

Ketan Mehta has signed Nawazuddin Siddiqui for the lead role in his film 'Mountain Main'. The film is based on Dashrath Manjhi who is famous for breaking a mountain over a period of 22 years which resulted in saving a lot of time (75 kilometers shortened to one kilometer) for the people of his village in Bihar.  Dashrath's feet was recognised in the thirteenth episode of Aamir Khan's television show 'Satyamev Jayate'. 

Says Ketan Mehta in an official press release, "To me, Dashrath Manjhi, the 'Mountain Man', is Mr. India. He embodies the spirit of independent India, the amazing, indomitable; never say die spirit of achieving the impossible against all odds. It is the story of 'Mind over Matter'. The film depicts the victory of an idea – The idea of being the change.  But above all it is a great love story, set amongst the wretched of the earth.  His sheer perseverance  and determination as they say would 'move the mountains'  of apathy- a fighter whose weapon was not a gun but the human will, fuelled by Love !''.

Speaking about the film & his role Nawazuddin said, "As an actor I always crave for challenges, and working with Ketan Sir is a huge opportunity & honour. I'm also fortunate to get the opportunity to essay the role of such a great man. What Dashrath Manjhi has done is greater than anything anyone could've ever done for love. He made a monument of love, with his own hands! And his monument of Love for me went even beyond being just a thing of beauty like the Taj Mahal - it actually transformed the lives of millions of people! I cannot wait to begin the shoot for this film."

Said producer Deepa Sahi, ''I am most excited about Nawazuddin acting in it -  unfortunately I had not seen him before I saw 'Kahaani'  but  the moment he stepped into frame as 'Khan'  I knew a great actor had come in  – and how he handled the difficult scenes in Gangs confirmed that!  Watch out for this new age actor as, 'Dashrath Manjhi'. ''

The script has been co-written by Mehta himself, along with Anjum Rajabali & Mahendra Jhakar. The rest of the cast will be finalized soon and the film will go on floors later this year.