Director Kalpana Lajmi has gotten over the dismal performance of her Sushmita Sen starrer "Chingaari" at the box office and is simultaneously planning two films.

One is a full-on comedy with an ensemble cast while the other is a period drama. Lajmi is extremely excited about the period film.

"My first film to go back in time, and therefore rather expensive," Lajmi told IANS. "It's the love story of a courtesan during the reign of King Asoka. The central male character is a sanyasi (monk)."

The storyline sounds unusual. "But when have I done the usual?" reasoned Lajmi. "I want to address the dichotomy of how a courtesan is revered and worshipped in those times, while the queen, who's married to the emperor is almost a doormat."

She has roped in Isha Koppiker to essay the role of the courtesan while Rituparna Sengupta will play the queen. The male actors are yet to be decided.

--- IANS