Big B's Bhojpuri movie to release on Oct 20

Mumbai, Oct 14 (UNI) The festive Diwali/Eid releases -- Jaaneman and Don -- next week may have aroused keen interest of the trade pundits but the original 'Don', Big B, is set to enter the box office battle of the two Khans -- Shah Rukh and Salman -- with his debut Bhojpuri film 'Ganga', which is all set to release on October 20 The producer of the film, Deepak Sawant's labour of love starring Bhojpuri stars Nagma, Ravi Kishen, Manoj Tiwari along with Amitabh and Hema Malini is having an all India release on October 20.

Sawant told UNI that Bachchan was originally scheduled to appear as a guest star in the film. ''But, the role developed into a full-fledged one. I am ever grateful to him to have said a yes to my film because of the close relationship we have developed over the years,'' he said.

Even Bachchan had said earlier he would not have agreed to act in a Bhojpuri movie had it not been for his make-up man and producer Deepak Sawant.

Nagma plays the title role of 'Ganga' and Amitabh who portrays the role of a village Thakur wants her as his daughter-in-law.

''But, Thakur's son is an evil man who does a lot of injustice on the female protagonist. So, Thakur with the help of two villagers -Manoj Tiwari and Ravi Kishen -- helps Ganga get justice,'' Deepak said.

He said the film is being released with about 90 prints including 15 in Mumbai, 35 in Bihar and 30 in Uttar Pradesh.

'Ganga' is directed by Abhishek and the music is scored by Ashok Ghayal. It is produced under the banner Dakshina Films by Deepak Sawant. This is not the first time Big B is making an appearance in Sawant's films. Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan featured in a guest appearance in Sawant's previous Marathi film ''Aakka'' few years ago for a Ganpati Aarti dressed in Maharashtrian attire.

UNI MR PM PA BD0937