New Delhi, Jun 10 (UNI) The life and times of prominent tribal leader and freedom fighter from Jharkhand, Birsa Munda would come alive on the silver screen in the form of a feature film 'Ulgulan-Ek-Kranti'. The two-hour-15 minutes long film starring among others popular Bollywood star Tom Alter was screened here last night on the occasion of Birsa Munda's death anniversary at the residence of veteran BJP leader and former Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker Karia Munda. "It was a privilege to write the script for the film. It was a satisfying job and I feel very proud as a tribal leader from my state Jharkhand," Mr Munda told UNI on the sidelines of the simple function. The film's director Ashok Saran said the film was originally ready for release by 2004-05 but following some objections from a religious minority group it could not be screened. "Birsa Munda fought both against British exploitation and also against attempts to interfere with the socio-religious practices of tribals," he said. The film was shot after "immense hard work, research for about 10 years and shooting around 46 locations through which Birsa Munda was associated from time to time", Mr Sharan said. "We take you back to the era of late 19th century. It required lot of imagination and ground work," he said. The film would be now also screened in cinema halls, he said. Mr Karia Munda also said that the most striking salient feature of Birsa Munda's life has been the "struggle" against exploitation of the tribals and also attempts those were made to "spread Christianity" in the tribal pockets of onetime united Bihar. "The film could not be screened in Ranchi once as there were objections to it from certain Christian groups. Birsa Munda's life is also known for fight to protect religious rights of the tribals and their traditional belief and this is reflected in the film," Mr Munda said. The BJP leader said attempts would be made to screen the film in schools, colleges and also for elected MPs and legislators across the country as this will spread the message of life and struggle of the freedom fighter Birsa Munda. Born in 1875, Birsa Munda was an important figure in the history of the Indian independence movement especially in eastern India. Also a religious leader and folk hero, he died at the age of 25 only on June 9, 1900. UNI DEVN RSA 1432