An English-language biopicof Italian-born Indian Congress party chief Sonia Gandhi has been unveiled byLos Angeles-based film director Jag Mundra.

The film, Sonia, willprofile her as a reluctant leader who entered politics only to fulfil thedreams of her assassinated husband. It's based on the book Sonia - ABiography, written by Indian journalist Rasheed Kidwai.

Mundra has approached MonicaBellucci to play the lead role while Indian actress Perizaad Zorabian will playIndira Gandhi.

The film opens with Sonia'sdramatic renunciation of the role of India's prime minister in 2004 and thentravels back in time to her arrival in India as a young woman to marry RajivGandhi, her adjustments to Indian life, her close ties with her mother-in-lawIndira Gandhi, and her entry into politics in 1998 seven years after herhusband was killed by a suicide bomber.

The film has a budget ofaround $7m and will be shot in Italy, the UK and India for a 2006 release.