National Award winning actor Vidya Balan will play former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi onscreen in a project based on journalist-author Sagarika Ghose's book Indira: Indias Most Powerful Prime Minister.

"I am happy to have acquired the rights to Sagarika Ghose's book, because I have always wanted to play Indira Gandhi. I haven't decided yet whether it should be a film or a web series, but that will take a while anyway," Vidya said in a statement.

Ghose, elated about signing the contract, wrote: "Most excited to see Indira on-screen!" She also called Vidya an "ace".

The book, published by Juggernaut Books, is a no-holds-barred biographical portrait that looks for answers to lingering issues: from why Indira Gandhi revoked the Emergency to her son Sanjay's curious grip over her; and from her bad marriage and love affairs to her dangerous religious politics.