By Subhash K. Jha

Mumbai, Sep 26 (IANS) This is indeed rare. Ram and Shatrughan are coming together - for a film that is "similar to the Mahabharat in tone and spirit". Before you get confused, maverick director Ram Gopal Varma, who has been a big fan of Shatrughan Sinha, has roped in the veteran actor for his latest film.

"Ram Gopal Varma told me that (that the director was a fan of his) when he came to offer me 'Rakta Charitra'," said Shatrughan Sinha from Jaipur where he was attending a wedding.

"He said he has enjoyed my films from his college days when he saw 'Kala Patthar'. It's providential that Ram and Shatrughan are coming together. But 'Rakta Charitra' - I love the title - is more like the Mahabharat in spirit than the Ramayan."

And now the "Kala Patthar" actor will be directed by Ram Gopal Varma in his Hindi-Telugu bio-pic "Rakta Charitra" based on the life of the alleged outlaw Paritala Ravi. Shooting starts in Hyderabad this month.

Ram Gopal Varma confirms that Shatrughan Singh plays the Telugu Desam party-chief N.T. Rama Rao who was also the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh.

Paritala Ravi, who was wanted in several serious cases, contested and won elections on a Telugu Desam ticket.

Shatrughan Sinha said: "I've been a big fan of the film 'The Godfather'. 'Rakta Charitra' is similar in mood to 'The Godfather'. And like I said, it's also very similar to the Mahabharat in tone and spirit. I think Ram and Shatrughan will create something special."

Ram Gopal Varma said: "I basically chose Shatruji because he has the larger-than-life personality required to play NTR. He played a very important part in the life and political career of Paritala Ravi."

Veteran Telugu actor Mohan Babu will play the role in the Telugu version of "Rakta Charitra".