He says he will play the lead role of Sher Shah Suri in the film.

"I am happy to play Sher Shah Suri, a real hero, in the historical film and will help to generate awareness about a ruler, who contributed in the development of the country," added Manoj.

The actor-singer told IANS this will be the first Hindi film on Sher Shah Suri.

"Till date, several films were made on Mughal rulers including Akbar and Shahjahan in Bollywood, but none on Sher Shah Suri," he said, refusing to disclose the names of other actors playing important roles in the film.

Manoj, who visited Sher Shah Suri's 16th century tomb in Bihar's Rohtas district Thursday, is sad at the dismal state of the monument.

"It is sad that proper development of Sher Shah Suri's tomb in Bihar's Sasaram town, district headquarters of Rohtas, was not taken so far," he said, after visiting the tomb of Sher Shah Suri.

"After I visited the tomb Thursday, I realised that it was a national heritage, but not promoted to attract tourists," he added.

Like Sher Shah Suri, Manoj too hails from Rohtas district.

A famous army general, Sher Shah Suri wrested the throne of India from the second Mughal emperor Humayun and ruled for five years (1540-1545) till his death.

He was also a notable administrator who built resting and watering spots and joined existing roads to establish the Grand Trunk Road, which is now named after him.

His historical tomb was declared a national heritage site under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has been given the responsibility for its preservation and protection.