Pop legend Tina Turner is back in the US, after a two-week tour of India aimed at preparing her for her role in the Merchant-Ivory production Shakti.

This will be the first film role for the 64-year-old in 19 years; her last starring role was opposite Mel Gibson in the 1985 film Mad Max: Beyond The Thunderdome.

Turner will play a singing, dancing goddess in the film, to be directed by Ismail Merchange. Starring opposite the pop icon is Matthew Modine, who featured as the jealous husband in the 2003 Merchant-Ivory production, Le Divorce.

The film looks at women from a position of strength, with Merchant saying the 'funny, intelligent' film will pose the theory that women are meant to rule.

The Contra Costa Times, meanwhile, quoted Merchant as saying he and Turner had traveled across India, from Varansi all the way down to Kerala. During the trip, Turner met with Indian singers and dancers in preparation for her role.

'In a few weeks she has been given a big dose of Indian culture,' Merchant was quoted as saying.