Sanjay Dutt may play an important role in political thriller "Freedom" based on the events of the last three decades, says Vivek Agnihotri, who is all set to direct it.

Agnihotri told IANS," Yes, it (the cast) is more or less finalized. While R. Madhavan is already on board, talks with Sanjay Dutt are in the final stages as well."

The film would begin from the 1975-77 Emergency and the sterilization campaign by Sanjay Gandhi during that period. Some of the other major episodes which would be brought alive on screen are the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, the Bofors scam, and other prominent scams in the last three decades.

Doesn't he fear protests and confrontation from political parties as well as others, given the fact that the director is exploring more than half a dozen ugly episodes from the history of modern India?

Agnihtri asked in reply," What can one do, the truth can't be erased, right? And then courtesy the kind of politicians that we have been having in the country, both in the past as well as the current times, you can't deny the relevance and topicality of the issues."

Would the story be told in a chronological manner or would there be overlaps and going back and forth, as seen last in "Love Aaj Kal"?

Agnihotri, who had earlier attempted a non-linear narrative in his debut effort "Chocolate", said, " No, 'Freedom' will have a linear narrative. The beauty of the subject is that it stays as topical as ever as it starts in the 70s and takes us to the current times. Even if I had to make 'Freedom' in 2020, it will still retain its charm."

While the hunt for the leading lady is still on, Agnihotri's wish list includes Malayalam superstar Mohan Lal. (With Input from Agencies)