MUMBAI: After a long wait, Ketan Mehta’s Rang Rasiya will eventually release in May.

The film is based on the life of the 19th century Indian painter Raja Ravi Varma.

Describing the premise of film, Mehta said: "The film is a kind of response and reaction to the climate of intolerance that was sweeping in the country five -six years ago. What happened to Raja Ravi Varma 100 years ago happens today also. If you look at M.F. Hussain, he was hounded, persecuted, prosecuted and thrown out of the country because of his art. He was forced to go on a self exile."

Starring Randeep Hooda and Nandana Sen, the film has been produced by Deepa Sahi and Anand Mahendroo.

After completion, the film was lying in the cans for the last three years.