Trailer: Randeep Hooda is painter Raja Ravi Varma in 'Rang Rasiya'

In the latest trailer for the film Rang Rasiya, Randeep Hooda plays legendary artist Raja Ravi Varma, the first celebrity artist we’ve had in India. Varma’s iconic paintings of Hindu gods, goddesses and mythological scenes are among the first examples of modern Indian art. The painter was also known for his sensuous portraits of women. Hooda stars opposite Nandana Sen, who plays the artist’s muse, Sungandha, a fictitious character. [caption id=“attachment_1656221” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Randeep Hooda and Nandana Sen[/caption] In fact, despite the claims of being based on a true story, a lot of Rang Rasiya appears to be fiction. The trailer is characterized by a vibrant colour palette and promises conflict between Varma and the moral police that is out to get him for the suggestiveness in his art. It also features abundant shots of waterfalls, for no apparent reason. The film is directed by Ketan Mehta who helmed the period film Mangal Pandey featuring Aamir Khan earlier. Rang Rasiya had been languishing in post-production from the year 2008 due to the Censor Board’s objection with certain bold scenes that involved paint and nudity. It has been given the release date of October 23, 2014 thereby setting it up for a clash with Farah Khan’s sure-set blockbuster Happy New Year. You can watch the trailer here: