Filmmaker Mira Nair on Tuesday (May 12, 2026) announced her new film ‘Amri’ , a biopic on renowned Hungarian-Indian painter Amrita Sher-Gil , with actor Anjali Sivaraman headlining a cast that also includes Jaideep Ahlawat and Priyanka Chopra Jonas.
The biopic on Sher-Gil — a pioneer in modern Indian art who rattled the establishment with her bold imagery and life — has been something of a dream project for Nair , known for movies such as Salaam Bombay!, Monsoon Wedding, The Namesake and A Suitable Boy.
Nair had first announced the project in 2020 but it was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. At that time, Tanya Maniktala (who played the lead in A Suitable Boy) was set to portray Sher-Gil.
The Lead Cast: Anjali Sivaraman as Amrita Sher-Gil
Nair also unveiled the first look of Sivaraman as Sher-Gil. The 31-year-old Kerala-born actor is known for her roles in Cobalt Blue, Class and Bad Girl.
Stepping into the role of one of India’s most iconic painters is no small task. Sher-Gil, who died at the age of 28, left behind a legacy of bold, evocative paintings that challenged conventions and captured the lives of Indian women with unprecedented honesty.
Sivaraman’s casting brings a relatively fresh face to the lead of a major international production — a decision consistent with Nair’s history of discovering and elevating new talent.
The Full Cast: A Truly International Ensemble
The film features an impressive ensemble cast spanning multiple nationalities:
- Emily Watson will play Sher-Gil’s mother, Marie-Antoinette Gottesman (a Hungarian-Italian opera singer)
- Jaideep Ahlawat plays her father, Umrao Singh Sher-Gil (a Sikh aristocrat and Sanskrit scholar)
- Krisztian Csakvari as Victor Egan (Sher-Gil’s husband)
- Anjana Vasan as Indira Sher-Gil (Amrita’s sister, also a painter)
- Jim Sarbh as Karl Khandalavala (art critic and friend of Sher-Gil)
- Priyanka Chopra Jonas as Madame Azurie (exact role details not specified)
- Anjali Sivaraman as Amrita Sher-Gil
Additionally, Jonas is also executive producing the movie.
About Amrita Sher-Gil: The Artist, The Icon
Amrita Sher-Gil (1913-1941) is considered one of the greatest women artists of the 20th century. Born to a Hungarian mother and an Indian father, she spent her early years in Hungary and later moved to India.
She trained at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, where she was influenced by European post-impressionists like Gauguin and Cézanne. But upon returning to India, she developed a unique style that blended Western techniques with Indian subjects — particularly the lives of women, village scenes, and the poor.
Some of her most famous works include:
- Two Women
- The Bride’s Toilet
- Group of Three Girls
- The Girl in Blue
- Sleeping Woman
- Hill Women
- Hungarian Gypsy Girl
- Several self-portraits
Sher-Gil died tragically young at 28, but her paintings today are among the most valuable in Indian art. Her bold life — which included affairs, defiance of social norms, and a relentless pursuit of artistic truth — is as compelling as her canvases.
Mira Nair on Amrita Sher-Gil: ‘She Taught Me How to See’
In a media statement, Nair expressed her deep personal connection to the subject:
“Every film I’ve made in the last several decades has been inspired by the art of Amrita Sher-Gil. She taught me how to see. She absorbed the best European training to distill the soul of India in a way that no one ever had — it is this distillation that has informed my own cinema from the beginning. The bravery of her palette, color and framing of the ordinary people of India has eternally moved me.”
This is not Nair’s first exploration of an artist’s life — her film The Reluctant Fundamentalist and series A Suitable Boy also dealt with identity, belonging, and cultural collision. But Amri is her first pure biopic of a visual artist.
The Production: Across India and Hungary
Amri is currently completing production across India and Hungary — two countries central to Sher-Gil’s life and identity.
Hungary represents Sher-Gil’s European roots, her mother’s heritage, and her early years. India — particularly Lahore (now in Pakistan), Simla, and the princely states — represents the world she discovered as a young woman and painted with such intensity.
The film is set across Hungary, France, and India in the early twentieth century, tracing the worlds of Europe and India that shaped Sher-Gil’s imagination and her artistic vision.
Creative Team: Nair, Royer, Arora, Nozik
Nair co-wrote the film with Clara Royer. She also produces it with Samudrika Arora and Michael Nozik.
Arora commented on the film’s relevance: “Amrita Sher-Gil’s life and oeuvres reflect the aspirations of the modern generation, where identity and unapologetic self-expression meet. There is something deeply human in the tension of coming from two wildly different worlds — the challenge of belonging to both, and never entirely to either.”
The production is a collaboration between Mirabai (Nair’s company), Samscape, Papertown Production in association with KNMA (Kiran Nadar Museum of Art) and Miramax.
Why ‘Amri’ Matters Now
Sher-Gil’s story resonates strongly with contemporary audiences for several reasons.
First, issues of identity and belonging — Sher-Gil was Hungarian-Indian, never fully belonging to either culture. In an era of globalization and migration, this tension is deeply relatable.
Second, women’s artistic agency — Sher-Gil insisted on being taken seriously as a painter at a time when women artists were dismissed. Her life is an inspiration to women in creative fields.
Third, unapologetic self-expression — Sher-Gil lived boldly, defying norms around marriage, sexuality, and artistic style. Her courage speaks to younger generations.
Fourth, India’s cultural heritage — As India asserts its place on the global stage, stories of its cultural icons gain new relevance.
Comparison to Previous Sher-Gil Projects
This is not the first attempt to bring Amrita Sher-Gil to the screen. Over the years, several filmmakers have tried and failed.
In 2020, Nair herself announced the project with Tanya Maniktala (who played Lata in A Suitable Boy) in the lead. That version was postponed due to the pandemic.
There have also been documentaries and stage productions about Sher-Gil, but Amri will be the first major feature biopic — with an international cast and production scale.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas: Actor and Executive Producer
Priyanka Chopra Jonas has a dual role in Amri — as an actor (playing Madame Azurie) and as executive producer.
Priyanka has worked globally, from Bollywood to Hollywood (Quantico, The White Tiger, Citadel). Her involvement brings international attention to the project and helps secure financing and distribution.
Her executive producer role also signals a deeper investment in the film’s success — not just as a performer but as a stakeholder.
Jim Sarbh and Jaideep Ahlawat: Two of India’s Finest
Jim Sarbh (known for Neerja, Padmaavat, Rocket Boys) plays Karl Khandalavala — an art critic and close friend of Sher-Gil. Khandalavala championed Sher-Gil’s work and helped preserve her legacy.
Jaideep Ahlawat (known for Pataal Lok, Raees, Raazi) plays Umrao Singh Sher-Gil — Amrita’s father, a Sanskrit scholar and aristocrat who supported his daughter’s artistic ambitions despite societal pressure.
Both actors bring immense depth and range to their roles.
The Hungarian-Indian Connection
Sher-Gil’s mixed heritage is central to her identity. Her mother, Marie-Antoinette Gottesman, was Hungarian; her father, Umrao Singh Sher-Gil, was Indian.
The film is being shot in both countries, and Hungarian actor Krisztian Csakvari plays Victor Egan, Sher-Gil’s husband. The casting of Emily Watson (British) as her Hungarian mother adds another layer of international collaboration.
What We Know About Production Status
According to the article, Amri is currently completing production across India and Hungary.
This suggests that principal photography is either finished or nearing completion. A release date has not yet been announced, but a late 2026 or early 2027 premiere is plausible.
Given Nair’s track record and the film’s festival-friendly subject (biopic of a woman artist, international cast, heritage themes), Amri is likely to premiere at a major festival — possibly Cannes, Venice, or Toronto.
