New Delhi

Actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, BJP President Amit Shah and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari today launched the first official poster of “Sarbjit” here.

Directed by Omung Kumar, the movie is based on Indian convict Sarabjit Singh, who died following an assault by fellow prisoners at a Pakistani jail.

The event at the residence of the BJP president was also attended by the producers of the film, Vashu Bhagnani, Bhushan Kumar and Sandeep Singh, along with actress Richa Chadda and “Mary Kom” actor Darshan Kumar.

Aishwarya is playing Sarabjit’s sister Dalbir Kaur while Randeep Hooda will be seen in the titular role.

Shah, who was impressed by the selection of the subject, wished the team good luck.

“I would like to congratulate the makers for choosing this subject. This a story of an Indian who spent his whole life in anonymity and the struggle his sister went through to bring him back to his country. I wish the team good luck.

“I hope the message this film carries reaches every corner of the country because such stories inspire a lot of people,” he said.

The first poster of the movie features Aishwarya in a de-glam avatar wearing spectacles.

The tension and the struggle her character goes through is depicted through the rustic background with ‘Sarbjit’ written in bold red letters on it.

The actress, whose last outing was “Jazbaa”, thanked the makers for giving her the chance to portray such a strong character.

“It is a subject we all are very familiar with. And we as a team were very keen to share the story with those who don’t know about it in detail.

“It’s very important for us as a nation to understand, respect and recognise the struggle. I would like to say thank you for giving me this opportunity to essay the part of a lady I immensely respect. It’s an absolute honour,” she said.

Gadkari, the Union minister for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping, felt the film would send an inspiring message to the youth of the country.

“This subject is very important for our country and people. It is a sensitive story. It showcases the beautiful brother-sister relationship. I believe the youth will get new inspiration from the film. We all wish the movie good luck,” he said.

Omung, who won the national award for his directorial debut “Mary Kom” starring Priyanka Chopra, said the purpose of launching the poster on the political stage was to convey that the movie is on a serious subject which needs to be treated in the same manner.

“It is a political story. We wanted to create awareness about the film in a different way. It is a serious story and a serious business. That is the reason why we chose to get the first official poster launched by Amit Shah ji and Gadkari ji,” he said.

The life story of Sarabjit will be narrated through his sister Dalbir Kaur’s character, who struggled for her brother’s freedom and justice for 23 years.

The movie that recently completed its third schedule in Amritsar and Wagah border is slated for release on May 20. PTI