Indrajit Lankesh has just made a big announcement. The filmmaker, who is making his directorial debut in Bollywood with a biopic on Shakeela, has roped in Richa Chadda, for his film on the southern sensation.

Indrajit, who is particular about detailing, was choosy about the right lead cast. In addition to the Richa, who will play the title role, the director has also got on board National Award-winning actor Pankaj Tripathi to play the lead. "Pankaj is one of the finest actors in Indian cinema, and he has proven himself in many films," says Indrajit, adding, "Personally, I am a big fan of the actor, and roped him in because he suits the character. For that matter, any director would do anything to cast him. As far as I am concerned, he is currently hot property in Bollywood."

Pankaj, who has associated with directors like Karan Johar and Farhan Akhtar, is now working on a film with Hrithik Roshan. "I also heard that he is mentoring Hrithik for a film, where he has to put on a Bihari accent. He is a man on the move and I am glad to have him in my film," says Indrajit, who is confident that Pankaj will do complete justice to his film. "I am sure that he will take my subject to another level, with the role I have written for him."

Indrajit adds he has been watching Pankaj from the time he did Gangs of Wasseypur, but felt that he nailed his character in Newton. "Even though it was a Rajkummar Rao-starrer, for me Pankaj was the film's hero. His National Award just proves it," he says.

Indrajit is in the process of finalising the rest of the cast, before the shoot begins. "The pre-production work is almost over," says the director, who is currently a popular face on small screen with his comedy show, Majaa Talkies. He has got big dreams for the Shakeela biopic, which he hopes reaches world cinema. "The script has turned out to be magical and the right artistes will add to the charm," he says.