Actress Nandana Sen, an admirer of legendary Indian painter Raja Ravi Varma’s works since her childhood, says she was destined to be a part of ‘Rang Rasiya’, which is based on the artist’s life. The actress will be seen essaying the role of Ravi Varma’s muse Sugandha in the Ketan Mehta directed period film. “I have always loved Ravi Varma’s works. When I was studying at Harvard I had a painting of Hamsa Damayanti in my dorm room. I also have two large Ravi Varma paintings at my home.

I feel I was destined to play this role. I have always been fascinated by his works,” Nandana said. The ‘Black’ actress added, “I have been looking at the eyes of these women while I was growing up and now I get to play the woman who inspired these paintings.” Nandana, who is the daughter of Nobel Laureate and Bharat Ratna economist Amartya Sen and Padma Shri winner and acclaimed Bengali author Nabanita Dev Sen, said that with ‘Rang Rasiya’, her dream of working with Mehta came true. “It was a wonderful, magical and special experience working in this film.

I always wanted to work with Ketan because I feel he is a wonderful artiste. All his films have always, in a very effortless way, given the message of freedom. This film is about freedom of expression,” she said. Actor Randeep Hooda is playing the role of the painter in the film, which is set to release on November 7. Besides Nandana, the film has three other actresses- Feryna Wazheir, Triptha Parashar and Rashaana Shah. Triptha, who plays a princess and Varma’s wife, said the prospect of working with Randeep made her say yes to the film. “I got the film by chance… I had no intention to be an actress. When I was offered the role I asked who the hero was and when I was told it is Randeep Hooda, I said yes immediately.

I am thankful to Ketan sir for giving me the confidence,” the newcomer said. The film has been produced by Mehta’s wife Deepa Sahi and Aanand Mahendroo.