Abhishek Bachchan will play the lead role, Surjya Sen, in Ashutosh Gowarikar's period film, Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey.

The film, a screen adaption of journalist Manini Chatterjee's book Do and Die, focuses on the Chittagong uprising.

This will be Abhishek's first time with helmer Ashutosh, known for his big budget period films like Lagaan starring Aamir Khan and Jodhaa Akbar starring Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai.

Gowarikar recently wrapped up his rom-com What's Your Raashee?, starring Priyanka Chopra-Harman Baweja. The film is due for release on September 25.

Chatterjee's book is based on the role of the young revolutionaries from Chittagong District, now in Bangladesh, in the freedom struggle of India.

Abhishek, 33, will be the daring Surjya Sen (fondly called Masterda) who led the Chittagong Uprising.

"Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey is about the Chittagong Uprising of 1930. I have purchased the rights of the book Do and Die by Manini Chatterjee," Gowarikar told Mumbai Mirror.

"It will be a period-thriller film with Abhishek playing Surjya Sen," he added.

Rest of the cast is yet to be finalized. Gowrarikar is not known to make his films with an ensemble.

Abhishek Bachchan is currently filming for Ravana directed by Mani Ratnam with co-stars Aishwarya Rai, Govinda, Nikhil Dwivedi, Ravi Kishen, Tejaswini Kolhapure and South actor, Vikram. Abhishek plays the title role in the film.

He recently finished filming for Paa directed by Balki with co-stars Amitabh Bachchan and Vidya Balan. He plays Amitabh Bachchan's father in the film; Amitabh is shown suffering from a rare disease called progeria that leads to premature and rapid aging.

The next in the pipeline for the actor is the thriller Crooked to be directed by Abhinay Deo with co-stars Aishwarya Rai and Boman Irani. The filming got postponed from mid 2009 to the end of the year due to director's wife's illness.

Dharma Productions has also announced Dostana 2 to be directed by Tarun Mansukhani which will have three additional male leads - Abhay Deol, Ritesh Deshmukh and Shreyas Talpade. Abhishek and John Abraham will reprise their original roles. Katrina Kaif will replace Priyanka Chopra.