Ash to play Mumtaz in Sir Ben Kingsley's Taj Mahal

Sir Ben Kingsley is agog with excitement.

He has just announced the female lead to his movie on the Taj Mahal. And it is Aishwarya Bachchan!

Yes, the Bachchan bahu will play the legendary Mumtaz Mahal to Sir Ben's Shah Jahan in the movie that will be shot next year in Agra and Fatehpuri Sikri.

Sir Ben, one of the world's most honoured actors with four Academy Award nominations for his memorable role of Gandhi, apparently considered Aishwarya over Bengali sizzler Bipasha Basu.

Ever since he met Bipasha in Lisbon for the unveiling of the New Seven Wonders, there has been a buzz that Sir Ben was coming to India to see the Taj.

Now it is learnt that his purpose of visit wasn't just sight seeing, but also to hunt for ideal locations and start the shoot in India.

Sir Ben said, "The movie is on the building of the Taj Mahal. The romance will also include Shah Jehan's abject isolation for years in a prison cell.

I had spoken to Aishwarya last year while we were working on The Last Legion and she very generously agreed to do the movie with me. My production house is working with a screenwriter on the project. I have very clear ideas about how I want to approach the subject."