Bipasha Basu will play the title role in "Draupadi," the story of one of the strongest female characters in Indian mythology, who had five husbands

BOMBAY, India (AP) - Indian model-turned actress Bipasha Basu will play the title role in "Draupadi," the story of one of the strongest female characters in Indian mythology, who had five husbands, the director said Wednesday. While the movie is based on one of the greatest Hindu epics, "The Mahabharat," well-known director Rituparno Ghosh told the Mumbai Mirror newspaper that it would be his own interpretation, dealing with the human relationships. "My Draupadi will be more real and it will be my interpretation from a filmmaker's perspective ... I have a specific vision in my mind, which I want to convey through my film," said Ghosh. Ghosh said he hoped Basu, 26 _ who has acted in some 20 movies since her 2001 debut but has struggled to shed her sex symbol tag _ would give his title character an edge. "I wanted my Draupadi to be dark and attractive," said Ghosh about selecting Basu. "Not a sex symbol, but she had to possess the 'oomph' factor. I could see all these qualities in Bipasha." "The Mahabharat," written in Sanskrit, tells the story of a struggle within a dynasty, an ancient battle and the triumph of good over evil. In one of the most famous scenes in the epic, Draupadi prevails with dignity when an evil relative attempts to disrobe her in public after one of her husbands loses her and the family possessions in a game of dice. The movie "Draupadi" would be in English