Shyam Benegal to make Gautam Buddha

By IndiaFM News Bureau, August 3, 2007 - 14:32 IST

Shyam Benegal’s forthcoming film will not be in Hindi but in Pali language, as it is based on life of Gautam Buddha. Named as Gautam Buddha this film will be funded by the Sri Lankan government and will be entirely shot in Sri Lanka.

Benegal’s film deals with the life of Gautam Buddha and Buddhism, which was first taken to Sri Lanka from India by Emperor Asoka's son Mahendra. Dr. B.K. Modi of the Mahabodhi Society approached Dr. Chandraprakash Dwivedi to make a film on Buddha. Dr. Dwivedi informs that India and Sri Lanka share a very special relation when it comes to Buddhism and that is one reason to Sri Lankan government funding the project.

Dr. Dwivedi further explains that Modi asked him to co-direct this movie but is now happy to know that it will be directed by Shyam Benegal. It is believed that the same film was supposed to be directed by the filmmaker Shekhar Kapur earlier who decided to opt out because of some differences. Interestingly, Dr. Modi had also approached Mira Nair to make the film on Buddha in the early '90s.



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So Benegal is trying to do a 'passion of the christ' for Buddha by having it in Pali. I don't know how that would go down in India but I think the World film festival circuit would love it. Only thing is it would've been great if part of it at least was shot in India. They can film around the same areas Buddha lived. I saw a documentary a few years back showing sites Buddha lived and visited and though if they made a film, they could film it at theses locations.

Anyway, I'm glad this film is being made. Shekhar Kapur would've also done a good job, but we should be glad that at least Benegal is making it, they could've done alot worse.

For Shyam Benegal fans, didn't they just announce Dr Shyam Benegal as the winner of this year's Dr Phalke award ??

yup!

enegal bestowed with Dadasaheb Phalke Award Click here to add this article to My Clips
By IndiaFM News Bureau, August 9, 2007 - 11:37 IST
Renowned filmmaker Shyam Benegal, who created his niche in film faternity, with some wonderful films to his name, has been honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. This award didn’t come as a surprise to Benegal as he had been expecting it since a year now. But nevertheless, the award has been a tribute to all his hard work all these years.

His first feature film Ankur in 1971, came as refreshing treat for movie lovers who expected some sensible cinema. Benegal does not seem to stop his directorial journey here. He feels that these awards give one an encouragement that the show must go on.

Bose: The Forgotten Hero was the last film Benegal directed in 2005.


** I wish some hollywood company would release BOSS and BLUE UMBRELLA