Vikrant Massey is poised to begin shooting for "White," a biopic centered on the life of spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. According to reports, filming is scheduled to commence next week. However, contrary to initial reports, the primary location for the month-long shoot will not be Colombo. Instead, approximately 90% of the film will be shot in Colombia.
Massey is taking on what is described as one of the most challenging roles of his career by portraying the global spiritual leader. "White" aims to chronicle significant milestones in Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's life, highlighting his teachings on peace and global harmony, as well as his humanitarian work and efforts in conflict resolution. The film will specifically delve into Ravi Shankar's peace efforts, notably his involvement in the Colombian civil war. It will showcase how his advocacy for nonviolence facilitated a ceasefire between FARC rebels and the government after only three days of negotiations, a moment acknowledged as pivotal by Colombia's then-president.
The movie is being produced on a grand scale by Siddharth Anand's Marflix Pictures, Mahaveer Jain Films, and Peacecraft Pictures. The production is bringing in an international crew, including technicians and experts who have previously worked on "Narcos," to elevate the storytelling. Montoo Bassi is directing the project.
Massey is preparing for the role through intense reading sessions and workshops with the writing and direction teams to ensure an authentic portrayal of Ravi Shankar. He has also grown his hair and beard for the role. Massey has been closely studying Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's manner of speaking, smiling, walking, and sitting. He has been watching videos, speeches, and interviews to closely understand his behavior and body language.
The actor recently starred in "Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan," a romantic drama based on Ruskin Bond's "The Eyes Have It," which also marked the debut of Shanaya Kapoor. In other news, Massey has reportedly exited "Don 3," where he was slated to play the main antagonist opposite Ranveer Singh. The production team is currently seeking a replacement for his role.