Madhuri Dixit has not commited to filmmaker Shaji Karun’s proposed project on the life of painter Raja Ravi Varma and his muse Sugunabai and with good reason, it seems.

The film, tentatively titled ‘Suryamukhi’, is is set in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century and is about the love affair between Raja Ravi Varma and a Maharastrian woman who posed for him.

Filmmaker Shaji Karun, six-time National Award winner, approached Madhuri to play Sugunabai in the film earlier this year, when the actress was in India on holiday with her family. Madhuri heard the story, but has as of yet not committed to the project.

Reports suggest the film may contain nudity, as some of Raja Ravi Varma’s paintings of his muse were nude. This doesn’t seem to have sat well with Madhuri.

Despite the fact that Shaji has stated he will use shadows to represent nudity in the film, or perhaps the paintings by Varma to depict the same, it remains to be seen whether Madhuri will consent to the role.

If Madhuri declines the film, Karun says he will sign Vidya Balan. Shaji Karun has approached Ajay Devgan to play the painter.