RUPERT EVERETT, DEREK JACOBI, NATHANIEL PARKER, BEN LAMB & JODHI MAY JOIN DEVIKA BHISE AND AN IMPRESSIVE LINE-UP OF ESTABLISHED INDIAN ACTORS IN SWATI BHISE’S FEATURE DEBUT “SWORDS AND SCEPTRES”
PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHY UNDERWAY ON CAYENNE PEPPER PRODUCTION’S FEATURE IN INDIA, UK AND MORROCO
Shiva Sinindo Films have announced that BAFTA® nominated Rupert Everett (My Best Friend’s Wedding, An Ideal Husband), BAFTA® Winner Derek Jacobi (Gladiator, The King’s Speech), Nathaniel Parker (Stardust, The Bodyguard), Ben Lamb (Divergent, Now You See Me 2) and Jodhi May (Defiance, Let Me Go) have joined Devika Bhise (The Man Who Knew Infinity, The Accidental Husband) and an impressive line-up of established Indian actors in Swati Bhise’s (The Man Who Knew Infinity) feature debut Swords and Sceptres. Principal photography began on 14th October in India, with production moving on November 15th to London and Morocco.
Swati Bhise, the CEO of Cayenne Pepper Productions and a renowned classical Indian choreographer and dancer, will produce and direct the film. Swati has written the script alongside Devika Bhise, who will also star in the leading role as the Rani, and Olivia Emden. The film will also star acclaimed Indian actors Nagesh Bhonsle (Sarkar, 24: India), Yatin Karyekar (Munna Bhai M.B.B.S., Iqbal), Milind Gunaji (Devdas, Virasat), Arif Zakaria (My Name Is Khan, Lootera) and Ajinkya Deo (Avgat, Aan: Men At Work). Charles Salmon (Trafficker, The Railway Man) will co-produce.
Swords and Sceptres follows the incredible true story of Rani Lakshmibai, the historic Queen of Jhansi who fiercely led her army against the British East India Company in the infamous Sepoy Mutiny of 1857. The young woman’s passion to free her country from the aggression and treachery of the East India Company led her to become one of India’s greatest warriors. She has gone down in history for her political will, bravery in battle and strategic acumen, becoming a feminist icon in the process. Her resistance to the East India Company contributed to the world’s first bankruptcy ushering in the beginning of the British Raj.
Talking about her passion and vision for the project, Swati Bhise commented:
I wanted to make this film to tell an inspirational story to a global audience. It’s an incredible story about a woman who fought for what she believed in. Her story is one of female empowerment, more relevant now than ever, and can be drawn upon to inspire women all around the world.
Swati has worked with many contributors including Nick Robbins to authentically recreate a historically accurate version of 19th century England and India. The intricate costumes with original designs, handmade and 14 months in the making, have been created by costume designers Vidhi Singhania, Riyaz Ali Merchant and Swati Bhise with make-up by national award winning make-up supervisor Vikram Gaikwad. Angelica Monica Bhowmick serves as production designer, Glenn Marks as action co-ordinator, Seamus Deasy as Director Of Photography, Terry Bamber as First Assistant Director and Richard Harvey (The Little Prince, The Da Vinci Code, Death Of A President) composing the score.
