By Joginder Tuteja

Mumbai, Feb 19 (IANS) Vivek Agnihotri, who is all set to direct political thriller "Freedom" based on the events of the last three decades, says Sanjay Dutt may play an important role in it.

"Yes, it (the cast) is more or less finalised. While R. Madhavan is already on board, talks with Sanjay Dutt are in the final stages as well," Agnihotri told IANS.

The film would begin from the 1975-77 Emergency and the sterilisation campaign by Sanjay Gandhi during that period. Some of the other major episodes which would be brought alive on screen are the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, the Bofors scam, and other prominent scams in the last three decades.

Given the fact that the director is exploring more than half a dozen ugly episodes from the history of modern India, doesn't he fear protests and confrontation from political parties as well as others?

"What can one do, the truth can't be erased, right?" Agnihtri asked. "And then courtesy the kind of politicians that we have been having in the country, both in the past as well as the current times, you can't deny the relevance and topicality of the issues.

"Perhaps people have changed but not the thought process. 'Freedom' will be told in the format of a political thriller and I can promise to be truly honest and unbiased in my job."

Would the story be told in a chronological manner or would there be overlaps and going back and forth, as seen last in "Love Aaj Kal"?

"No, 'Freedom' will have a linear narrative", said Agnihotri, who had earlier attempted a non-linear narrative in his debut effort "Chocolate". "The beauty of the subject is that it stays as topical as ever as it starts in the 70s and takes us to the current times. Even if I had to make 'Freedom' in 2020, it will still retain its charm."

Agnihotri's wish list includes Malayalam superstar Mohan Lal while the hunt for the leading lady is still on.

"Freedom" is all set to go on floors in April.