Satinder Sartaj to play Maharaja Dalip Singh in multi-million Hollywood movie

Hollywood (July 14, 2014): According to a news reported by Hollywood Reporter, Brillstein Entertainment Partners executive Jai Khanna will co-produce The Black Prince, described as the tragic yet fascinating story about the last king of the state of Punjab (in north India), Maharaja Duleep Singh. Written and to be directed by LA-based Indian filmmaker Kavi Raz, Prince will see the acting debut of one of Punjab’s most acclaimed singer-poets, Satinder Sartaaj.

The bi-lingual English-Hindi project is budgeted at about $5 million, and is also out to potential producing partners in India. Set in India and the U.K., Prince is eyeing a late September start date. Brillstein will help shepherd the various international cast, crew and production logistics, as well as begin to secure international sales.

The film follows the story of the last Sikh Maharaja — the son of the powerful ruler Ranjit Singh — who was placed on the throne at the age of five, after the death of his father. In 1849, Punjab was annexed to British India and the young prince was removed from the throne and eventually sent off to England. His attempts to return to India and reclaim his kingdom were thwarted by the British. He ended up a pauper, dying alone in a Paris hotel in 1893.

Sartaaj — who will play the lead role in the film — is a big star in India with decade-plus career of giving traditional Sufi and Punjabi music a contemporary twist and selling out concerts worldwide.

“Besides his patrician resemblance to the young Maharaja Duleep Singh, Satrtaaj’s artistic instincts are highly intelligent and creative,” Raz said.

“Having read a number of screenplays during the past few years, I found a deep and profound connection with this story,” added Sartaaj. “It’s an emotional journey of identity, dignity and legacy. In the trusted hands of this experienced production team, the decision to come on board was simple.”