Mumbai, Feb. 4: Roland Joffe’s next venture, set against the Anglo-Maratha war of 1799, will have actor Vivek Oberoi play- ing one of the leads, it was announced at a news conference today.

Set against the first Anglo-Indian War in 1779, the film, titled The Invaders, will also feature a Hollywood actor.

The sprawling canvas of the film, produced by Mumbai-based Ajay Jhankar, will stretch from eighteenth century Maharashtra to contemporary America, the take-off point of the movie.

Joffe, the maker of The Killing Fields and The City of Joy, was approached by Jhankar with the story.

It revolves around Udaji, played by Oberoi, a chieftain in the army of Mahadji Shi- nde, who led the Maratha tro- ops to victory over the British army.

The character of Udaji, who existed in real life, was built upon by Jhankar.

There will be a Hindi version of the film, called Akraman.

Joffe will be in town next month.