Kabir Bedi to debut in Tamil

Internationally-acclaimed actor Kabir Bedi is all set to make his debut in Tamil cinema. He will be playing a prominent role in Aravaan, a period-film directed by Vasantha Balan and produced by Amma Creatrions T Siva. The film will have Aadhi of Mirugam and Eeram fame as hero while Dhansika, who made her debut in Peraanmai, will play the female lead.

Kabir Bedi said that the director has narrated the story and his delighted and thriled on hearing the script. He said that it was a perfect and apt role for him to perform.

He is noted for his role as Emperor Shah Jahan in Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story. He is best known in Europe for playing the pirate Sandokan in mini TV series and for his role as the villainous Gobinda in the 1983 James Bond film, Octopussy. He is very popular in Italy in particular, and is fluent in Italian.

As a stage actor, Kabir has performed Shakespeare"s Othello as well as portrayed a mad historical Indian king, Tughlaq; and a self-destructive alcoholic in The Vultures. In London he also starred in The Far Pavilions, the West End musical adaptation of MM Kaye"s novel, at the Shaftesbury Theatre.

Kabir played pivotal roles in Columbia Pictures' The Beast of War, a film on the Russian war in Afghanistan, directed by Kevin Reynolds, as well as the acclaimed Italian film Andata Ritorno, by Marco Ponti, winner of the prestigious David di Donatello Award.

Malayalee girl Archana Kavi of Neelathamara fame also stars in the movie. Pasupathy will be donning a prominent role. Playback singer Karthik is scoring music for the first time.