NEW DELHI: Critically acclaimed Bollywood actor Akshaye Khanna will play Sanjaya Baru in the forthcoming political movie “The Accidental Prime Minister” based on Baru’s controversial book.Confirming the development, Khanna told ET, over the phone, “I am thrilled and excited to be a part of a venture which will be path breaker, a game changer at many levels”.That he hasn’t yet had the “privilege” to meet Baru, Khanna said “The balance which he (Baru) gave to the book needs to be admired”.When asked about his role, he said “I realised that it is a very important movie, whether I was a part of it or not was secondary. Even if my role was insignificant I would have still done it”. However, he added that his role in the movie is “outstanding” and the screenplay “divine”.Khanna as Baru in the movie.Asked about eyebrows being raised at the making and especially the timing of the release, Khanna insisted “there is no agenda”.Khanna, son of late BJP MP Vinod Khanna and Bollywood star, added “it is very natural to suspect an agenda in a political thriller of such gravity. But I love the way my Director and the entire team is approaching the movie without any agenda which is very important for a political film”.The movie is slated to release on December 21, 2018 only months before the 2019 general elections. Arjun Mathur (L) and Rahul Gandhi (R).In a related development, UK born Indian actor Arjun Mathur has been selected to play Congress President Rahul Gandhi.Meanwhile, the team is conducting research on the “reason” Sonia Gandhi did not become the Prime Minister in the year 2004. The Accidental Prime Minister is slated to release on December 21, 2018