Shatrughan says Rakta Charitra his best film

New Delhi: Shatrughan Sinha, who will be seen without his trademark moustache for the first time onscreen in Ram Gopal Varma's Rakta Charitra, says that he has given his best to the political drama.

The Bollywood veteran, nicknamed shotgun, is essaying the role resembling former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N T Rama Rao in the movie, which also stars Vivek Oberoi and South Indian actor Suriya of Ghajini fame.

"I really worked hard for this film. I learnt the basics of Tamil and Telugu for the other two versions. I rate it as one of my finest performances. It is a dramatic and gripping film to come out from RGV. He is a genius," Sinha told PTI over telephone from Chennai.

Rakta Charitra has been made in Hindi, Tamil and Telgu. Sinha is featuring in all the three versions. The film will be released on October 22.In his long career spanning four decades, Sinha never compromised on his moustache but the actor reluctantly agreed to a clean look to play NTR.

"Initially I was reluctant (to shave off moustache) but considering the need of the script I had to agree to Ramu's request," says Sinha, 64.The actor, who is a BJP MP from Bihar's Patna Saheb, feels that the film, based on the life of slain political leader Paritala Ravi, will be a "good education for politicians."

Sinha, who has acted in more than 200 Hindi movies and also in Bangla and Punjabi films, is one of the few actors in Bollywood, who managed to switch over from negative roles to main leads.

The film is coming at a time when the actor-politician will be busy campaigning for his party during the Bihar assembly elections, starting from October 21.

Sinha first shot to fame by playing the negative role in Sanjeev Kumar, Mumtaz starrer Khilona in 1970 and went on to star in Bollywood hits like Kalicharan, Vishwanath and Kaala Patthar.