Finally Ketan Mehta`s much delayed, the Randeep Hooda starrer Rang Rasiya` will hit the screens this year. Bannered under Jayantilal Gada of PEN India, the period drama based on the life Raja Ravi Varma has been now slated to be released on October 23rd, 2014.

According to sources close to the film, on Monday Jayantilal Gada met director Ketan Mehta. "It was Ketan's birthday and Gada's thumbsup to his film was the perfect birthday gift. Ketan has waited six years for the movie to see the light of day," said the sources.

Incidentally Rang Rasiya` releases around same time as Farah Khan`s highly anticipated multi-starrer flick Happy New Year`. On asking about the clash with Shah Rukh Khan starrer, Gada said, "Shah Rukh is a big star and I'm not competing with him. But there is an angle in the film which justifies a Diwali release."

When Jayantilal Gada was asked if he was going to use the intimate scenes between the Randeep and Nandana to bring in the crowds he added, "No, that's not the plan. Much has been written about the film and people are already aware of what Rang Rasiya is all about. We'll bring in the crowds through our content and aesthetics alone."

Nandana Sen, co-actor of Rang Rasiya who settled down in New York will return to India to promote her film.