Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai and Hollywood hunk Brad Pitt are slated to act in a film on Lord Buddha's life. Shekhar Kapur will direct the movie.

Mahabodhi Society of India President Bhupendra Kumar Modi told rediff.com that Ash and Pitt had shown interest in the Buddha project.

Motivational guru Dr Deepak Chopra will write the script.

Modi said Ash will play a "powerful role" in the film whose theme would be the

Buddha's teachings.

The industrialist said the film will be produce by MCorp Global with financial support from other bodies. Hollywood actor Richard Gere, a Buddhist, is also interested in producing the film, which will cost Rs 50 crore to make.

Modi said the movie will be made in English and dubbed in several languages. Pre-production work has begun, with Shekhar Kapur working on it for the last two months.

Shooting will commence next year. The film is likely to be released in early 2006.