Ram Gopal Varma's Shabri to be Released on 26 August

Mumbai, July 28 (IANS) Finally Ram Gopal Varma is confident to share the story of a female as told in "Shabri". The film, which was completed about five years ago, will hit the theatres Aug 26.

The Isha Koppikar, Raj Arjun and Pradip Rawat starrer is about how a simple woman from a Mumbai slum ends up as a matka (gambling) kingpin and threatens the corridors of power. 

Co-produced by Reliance Entertainment, the film has been written and directed by Lalit Marathe.

"I feel like a dog, who will have his Friday!" said Marathe in a statement.

It was reported that Varma was apprehensive in releasing the film earlier because of the subject and that's why the film did not release for so many years. 

However, now the producer feels more confident about releasing it.

Ram Gopal Varma's Shabri will release soon

Nearly five years ago, Ram Gopal Varma produced Shabri, a story about the first female crime lord in Mumbai, but his apprehensions about the subject prevented him from releasing the film.

However, now that director Vishal Bhardwaj has announced his upcoming project Daayan, which is also based on a female gangster, RGV has decided that it's the right time to release Shabri.

When contacted, director Lalit Marathe confirmed, "The film will be releasing on August 26. I am elated. It has been a long wait. I was never given any reason as to why the film was held back. I tried really hard to get it released. Ramu will also be involved in the promotions of the film."

Considering that RGV did not think the film was suitable for release five years ago, the industry is abuzz with speculations about the influences on the script.

However, the director dismisses all the speculations and said, "The film is a fictional account of a female gangster. It will not be similar to the one Vishal Bhardwaj is going to make, which I believe is based on a story from Hussain Zaidi's book. I hope the delay works in favour of the film rather than against it."

The film starring Eesha Koppikhar and newcomer Raj Arjun will be released by co-producers Reliance Pictures, formerly known as Adlabs.