Aditi Rao Hydari and Paige Sandhu headline the Indo-British co-production Lioness

Aditi Rao Hydari and Indian-origin British actor Paige Sandhu are getting together onscreen to bring to life the story of Princess Sophia in an Indo-British co-production titled Lioness. The announcement was made at the India Pavilion (under the aegis of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting) at the ongoing Cannes Film Festival.

While Paige Sandhu will play Princess Sophia, Aditi will play Mehak Kaur, an educated, married immigrant woman living in 1990s Southall.

Speaking about her character, Aditi said, "I was instantly drawn to the story that brings on screen the life and legacy of an extraordinary woman. It is a story lost in history. While Princess Sophia is a heroine in the true sense of the word, Mehak is an equally strong character whose journey parallels the Lioness’ in the present".

About her role, Paige Sandhu said, "It’s an honour and a dream come true to play Princess Sophia Duleep Singh. I am humbled to portray someone with a legacy like hers — the work that she did, the lives she helped, and the family she came from. I truly hope to do justice to her incredible story."

Princess Sophia Duleep Singh, born in 1876, was the Princess of Punjab. She was the granddaughter of the great Maharaja Ranjit Singh and the goddaughter of Queen Victoria. Sophia was a key leader of the suffragette movement in the UK.

While the first story is based on history, the second story is a fictional tale of Mehak Kaur, an educated, married immigrant woman living in 1990s Southall. Mehak uncovers a fascinating story of women’s emancipation and empathy in contemporary times.

In the film, the director weaves the story of the two women from two eras and their common emotional thread.

The co-production is made under the bilateral treaty signed by both countries in 2008. English Heritage will unveil a blue plaque at Hampton Court, London, in memory of Sophia on May 26. The event will be graced by members of the British Parliament, representatives of the Indian and UK film industries, historians, and authors. OBE Gurinder Chaddha is the keynote speaker.

Lioness is being produced by Vivek Rangachari, Vaishalli Paatil, Faraz Ahsan, Clare Cahill, and Ajit Pal Singh and has been certified by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and the British Film Institute (BFI).