Bollywood producer Prakash Jha has joined hands with UTV Motion Pictures to co-produce his upcoming directorial venture ‘Rajneeti’.

The producer has also signed up a distribution deal with UTV for 'Rajneeti', which is scheduled to hit theatres during the first half of the coming year (2010).

UTV will distribute the movie all through the world.

Jha said, “With Bhopal as its backdrop and 5,000 trained actors from all over Madhya Pradesh working on the films landscape, Rajneeti is truly my most exciting and ambitious venture.”

Ronnie Screwvala, CEO of UTV said that Jha always trusted in the idea of 'cinema with power' and they hope for a grand story with Rajneeti also.

Prakash Jha penned the story of the film, while Anjum Rajabali as well as Prakash worked on its script for the last four years.

The film’s first schedule has already been finished. and second is likely to begin shortly.

The star cast of the film includes Nana Patekar, Ajay Devgan, Ranbir Kapoor, Arjun Rampal, Manoj Bajpai, Katrina Kaif and Naseeruddin Shah.

Katrina plays a role of a woman, who enters political world after experiencing a personal tragedy. Her character has been inspired by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi.

On this, Parkash said that there was nothing common between Katrina's role and Gandhi except that they were women who look stunning in a saree.

Jha, who won ten national awards, has made many critically acclaimed movies including ‘Apaharan’, ‘Ganga Jal’, ‘Mrityudand’ and ‘Damul’.