With the Akbarnamah on his desk, and a rack-full of books on Mughal emperor Akbar in his office, Ashutosh Gowariker has begun his research for his next film Jodha Akbar.

The idea for the film was suggested to him by a senior co-actor and Ashutosh insists he hasn't got a fix on his lead actor -- neither Hrithik Roshan or Salman Khan, he says but indicates he will have a big star in the lead and a new heroine again.

For Lagaan, he said he had read every book on India he could lay his hands on and tells Senior Features Editor Archana Masih that by the end of his research for this film, he will be talking like Akbar!

Photograph: Jewella C Miranda

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