Sir Ben Kingsley is to play the Mogul emperor who ordered the construction of India's Taj Mahal.

The actor - famous for his Oscar-winning portrayal of Indian independence hero Gandhi - will star as Shah Jahan in the film Taj.

Former Miss World Aishwarya Rai Bachchan will play Shah Jahan's wife Mumtaz Mahal, the British actor's production company SBK Pictures said in a statement.

The Taj Mahal was built by Mogul Emperor Shah Jahan between 1632 and 1654 for his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died while she was giving birth to their 14th child.

"With my passion for India and the Taj Mahal now becoming one of the Seven Wonders of the World, I am compelled to ask 'why' and 'how' this scream of grief frozen in marble came into being," Kingsley.

The company said it is recruiting a director for the script penned by British writer David Ashton and is scheduled to meet with Indian investors later this month.

SBK Pictures said shooting will start in mid to late 2010.