Actor Vicky Kaushal has been roped in to play Sam Manekshaw, the first Field Marshal of India, in his second collaboration with Meghna Gulzar after Raazi.

Sam Manekshaw, or Sam Bahadur as he is popularly known, was born on April 3, 1914 in Amritsar. On the death anniversary of the icon on Thursday, producer Ronnie Screwvala’s RSVP unveiled Vicky’s look in the film.

He took to his official Twitter handle to share a picture of the Uri fame actor along with a post that read, “On the death anniversary of one of India’s greatest war heroes, we take immense pride and honor in announcing our next movie, starring @vickykaushal09 as Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw. Directed by @meghnagulzar.”

Ronnie also added in a statement that the youth in India need role models to look up to and what better icon  than Sam Bahadur.

“Sam Manekshaw’s name will be etched in history as one of the greatest soldiers and minds India has ever seen. Young India desperately needs role models to look up to, needs to be educated on the contribution made by this icon to India — as we know it today,” Screwvala said in a statement.

On the death anniversary of one of India’s greatest war heroes, we take immense pride and honor in announcing our next movie, starring @vickykaushal09 as Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw.

Directed by @meghnagulzar@RSVPMovies pic.twitter.com/4vYBrQsPfm

— Ronnie Screwvala (@RonnieScrewvala) June 27, 2019

Vicky Kaushal also announced the news on social media. He wrote,  ” The swashbuckling general & the first Field Marshal of India- SAM MANEKSHAW. I feel honoured & proud of getting a chance to unfold his journey on-screen. Remembering him on his death anniversary & embracing the new beginnings with @meghnagulzar and @RonnieScrewvala.”

The swashbuckling general & the first Field Marshal of India- SAM MANEKSHAW. I feel honoured & proud of getting a chance to unfold his journey on-screen. Remembering him on his death anniversary & embracing the new beginnings with @meghnagulzar and @RonnieScrewvala.@RSVPMovies pic.twitter.com/ozyUO69wKV

— Vicky Kaushal (@vickykaushal09) June 27, 2019

Sam Manekshaw led the country to victory against Pakistan in 1971. He cheated death on a few occasions, both on the battlefield and away from it, living to be a nonagenarian. He passed away in Wellington, Tamil Nadu on June 27, 2008.

Sam was also the first Indian Army officer to be promoted to the rank of Field Marshal.

Meghna Gulzar, who has recently wrapped up shooting for the film Chhapaak starring Deepika Padukone and Vikrant Massey, said in a statement, “This film has been brewing between RSVP and me, for some time now. With Vicky now coming on board to play Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, it has begun to simmer. Looking forward to things to come to fruition one step at a time.”

For Vicky, it’s an honour to be getting the opportunity to portray the life of Sam Manekshaw. “We are thrilled to bring forward the story of this fearless patriot and the first Field Marshal of India,” added the actor.

The film’s script has been penned by Bhavani Iyer and Shantanu Shrivastava along with Meghna Gulzar. The film will go on floors in 2020.