MUMBAI: Malayalam entertainment channel Asianet will launch a new serial Pazhassi Raja in its 9:30 prime time slot. The serial is launching on Monday 13 February.

Produced by Yantra Media, the serial stars popular Malayalam film as well as television artists. The title role of Pazhassi Raja will be played by Sai Kumar.

Popularly known as the "Lion of Kerala", Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja was the ruler of Kottayam in the late 17th century. He led a serious revolution against the revenue policy of the British East India Company in 1797, and stopped the collection of revenues at Kottayam. When the British tried to capture him, the king escaped to the hills and led a guerilla war and the Raja became a wanderer in the jungles accompanied by his wife and immediate attendants.