Mahesh Bhatt's Begum Jaan to be Vidya Balan's most challenging role yet

Vidya Balan's next is a Mahesh Bhatt project. The actor has been signed by to play the lead in the Hindi version of Srijit Mukherji's film Rajkahini.

Titled Begum Jaan, the film will see Vidya essaying the character of a brothel madam.

Speaking about the film, Bhatt said he considers it to be one of Vidya's most challenging performances so far. The original character in Rajkahini was essayed by Rituparna Sengupta.

The film, which depicts the lives of 11 women living in a brothel, is reportedly based on the aftermath of Bengal partition.

Begum Jaan is expected to go on floors in June this year. Bhatt is yet to cast eight other prominent characters for the film.

Vidya has also done a cameo in a Marathi film titled Ek Albela - a biopic on dancing superstar, Bhagwan Dada.