In Satyagraha which Prakash Jha starts shooting in Bhopal on January 26 , 2013 and which releases on August 15, Ajay Devgn would be playing a role modelled on activist-politician Arvind Kejriwal. The real-life figure, much in the news for his strident ideology and intense anti-corruption politics, would serve as the ‘role’ model for Devgn’s politics in Jha’s film.



According to a source, the Big B would be playing a role akin to Anna Hazare. “Like Kejriwal, Devgn’s character starts off as a disciple follower and supporter of Bachchan saab and then breaks away to tackle corruption on its own, in his own way,” says the source.



While desisting from discussing the genesis of the characters, Prakash Jha admits that the entire plot structure and the characters of Satyagraha are modelled on present-day Indian politics. “Audiences will immediately recognize the politicians in the film. The fight against corruption that a section of the conscientious politicians have undertaken is the core of our plot. Satyagrah is about how politics in our country has become big business, and why. The protest movements lack a sense of direction, let alone a completion and closure.”Satyagraha, says Prakash, is his most fiercely political film to date. “People thought my Raajneeti was highy political. But it was the Mahabharat retold. Satyagrah will pick up today’s political headlines and politicians whom we know and recognize, sometimes we love them. But that’s becoming increasingly hard to do.”Prakash jokes there should be a school educating youngsters in the art of organized political protest. “We’ve recently seen well-intended political protests coming to an uneasy halt. We need to get protest movements more organized in our country.”Press Prakash to reveal if Ajay Devgn’s character is based on Arvind Kejriwal and the director responds, “You will see distinct elements from today’s politics and politicians in Satyagraha. All that is happening in our country, the scams and corruption, the scamsters and protestors, the corruption and anti-corruption groups, are part of my film. In that sense this is my most political film ever.”Ajay would be doing extensive workshops to prepare for his part. “We don’t call it workshops. We call it readings. An actor of Ajay’s stature doesn’t need to attend workshops. I am very excited about working with him again. He has really evolved as an actor,” says Jha about his favourite actor.