MUMBAI: Producers Shobha Kapoor, Ekta Kapoor and Mahesh Pandey have zeroed in on Ravi Kissen to play the title role of Gabbar Singh in their latest Bhojpuri venture.  A major shooting schedule for the film has already commenced in Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh. Mahesh Pandey, who is also directing the film, says, “It’s interesting to know that despite heightened recognition after his Bigg Boss stint, Ravi Kissen has agreed to the role. Amitabh Bachchan plays the same role in Ram Gopal Varma Ke Sholay. We had earlier approached Mithun Chakraborty for the role.”  Gabbar Singh will be the first multi-starrer Bhojpuri film, adds Pandey. The producers have also finalised a new girl Harmeet Kaur a.k.a. Gauri (a former Miss Chandigarh) for the role originally played by Helen in the film. She will dance to the tune of a song sung by Kailash Kher and Kalpana, and composed by music director Satish-Ajay, confirms Pandey.  Gabbar Singh will also feature Jeetendra, the presenter of the film as ‘Thakur’, Dinesh Lal Yadav ‘Nirahua’ as ‘Veeru’, Sikandar as ‘Jay’, singer Kalpana as ‘Radha’, Mona Thiba as ‘Basanti’, lyricist Vinay Bihari as ‘Soorma Bihari (Bhopali)’, Ali Asgar as ‘Jailor’ and Brijesh Tripathi as ‘Ramlal’. Vinay Anand, Krishna Abhishek and Sanjay Pandey will also be playing stellar roles in the film, which is being made under the banner of Balaji Telefilms and Sri Siddhivinayak Media Entertainment.