India's version of 'Lord of the Rings'?

By Judi Silva ©2005 Bollyvista.com






Producer Bobby Bedi with Aamir Khan
Producer Bobby Bedi is currently recreating what may be termed as Bollywood's biggest cinematic venture - EVER! The Mahabharata (Hindu's greatest mythological epic) is the subject of this colossal project, which he plans on making into a trilogy with a budget of Rs 300 crore. It will capture the battles, intrigues, spiritual complexity and cultural aesthetics of India, 4,000 years ago. The cast of Mahabharata will consist of a duo that has never before shared the same cinematic screen - Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan. The two Khans will play the roles of Karan and Arjun but Bedi hasn't disclosed who's who as yet. To sweeten things, Rani Mukherji (as Drupadi) will join them.

If plans go accordingly, the epic will be made in the same matter as 'Lord of the Rings'. In this regard, Bedi has even asked the LOTR team to work with him to create the same magic that this trilogy brought us. Mani Ratman will don the director's cape. Bedi has also roped in designer JJ Valaya, Sufi musician Madan Gopal and artist Manjit Bawa to help him recreate the greatest Indian epic of all time. The location of the filming will be crucial; therefore the sets will span 18 acres in either Haryana or the foothills of Punjab.

As far as taking India's most ancient story global, Bedi says, "I want American, British, Japanese and Indian kids to watch the movie and understand the significance of the Mahabharata."



http://www.bollyvista.com/article/a/32/5178

Those two quotes have made me loose my faith in Indian cinema and folks who spearhead it !

Look at this - I know its an artist rendition, yet it speaks volumes on the parody that is Indian cinema



http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/ltd/1159352.cms

Man!! There is Rani, as usual, add in Poo as Elf princess, Big B as Gendaulf the GRAY(GOLD as seen in WAQT ) Rajpal yadav as dwarf..and continue, ask Rehman to give music as he is doing LOTR as Theatre!Akshay, Salman, Bipasha, priyanka for oomph!!

and Esha deol, celina, malika, etc etc..for item numbers. Rekha for special appearances as queen of the jungle..

Darn..no pitty ! 300 crores!

i expect this to be shelved very quickly!!

I don't have much faith in this project, but I tell you 'Mahabharat' is an epic just waiting to be made into what could be one of the greatest film epics of all time. Oh how I wish Hollywood would make it, but then again I can't imagine a non Indian being able to identify with and thus do justice to this great epic. Left alone to Bollywood, we can at best, expect a techinically more polished version of the B.R. Chopra crap made for television series. Anyhow, a word of advice to whoever ends up making it, do not use the regular established stars in the film.

PS: Did I hear someone suggest Shekhar Kapur to make it? Now that is a promising thought.

Not a Hollywood, but a French-UK version was made.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097810/

"The Mahabharata" (1989) (mini)
Directed by
Peter Brook

Writing credits
Jean-Claude Carrière (adapted by)
Peter Brook (screenplay) ...
Genre: Drama / Fantasy (more)

User Comments: superb mythographic projection (more)

User Rating: 7.9/10 (179 votes)

Cast overview, first billed only:
Erika Alexander .... Madri/Hidimbi
Maurice Bénichou .... Kitchaka
Amba Bihler .... Virata's daughter
Lou Bihler .... Young Karna
Urs Bihler .... Dushassana
Ryszard Cieslak .... Dhritharashtra
Georges Corraface .... Duryodhana
Jean-Paul Denizon .... Nakula
Mamadou Dioumé .... Bhima
Miriam Goldschmidt .... Kunti
Hapsari Hardjito .... Abhimanyu's wife
Nolan Hemmings .... Abhimanyu
Ken Higelin .... Deathless boy
Ciarán Hinds .... Ashwattaman
Gisèle Hogard .... 1st princess

Also Known As:
Mahabharata, Le (France)
Runtime: 318 min / France:55 min (6 episodes) / USA:171 min (theatrical version)
Country: UK / France
Language: English
Color: Color
Sound Mix: Dolby
Certification: USA:Not Rated

Awards: Won Emmy. Another 1 win (more)

MAHABHARATA...
User Comments:

3 out of 3 people found the following comment useful:-
superb mythographic projection, 19 January 2002

Author: geroldf (mailto:geroldf@pacbell.net) from san diego cal

Brooks has done an amazing job of distilling the monumental indian epic into less than a 6 hour film. In the process, a lot of good stuff had to left out, but what remains is pure gold.

The style is spare and theatrical, with fairly minimal sets. Rather than detracting from the sense of immediacy, however, the lack of background serves to throw the characters into bolder relief. And what characters! Arjuna, Yudhisthira, Draupadi, Bhima, Krishna - marvelous characters all. And the 'bad guys' are nearly as good - flawed, but complex and even somewhat sympathetic. The minor characters too are arresting - bhishma and drona especially.

This movie translates the power of myth to the screen better than any other by far. Maybe when LotR is complete that will change, but for now Mahabharata reigns supreme.

And a good DVD release from BFI

http://zulm.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=7723

I somehow doubt this will get made.

The BR Chopra serial was mostly well-written and acted IMO, especially given the size and importance of the production, but the production values are pretty cheesy. I don't know if the Mahabharata could be satisfactorily be made into a three-hour film or even a trilogy of three-hour films. It would be great to have another serialized version of it, though some of the BRC serial was boring.

i dont think it will be made, if it does i wont be surprised if it turns out like a dev anand film ( love at time square etc...) where you dont know whats going on, it looks like it will be a flop if it ever comes out

If it's true, all other sites (Rediff, IndiaFM, Planet Bollywood) would also be reporting about it, which they are not. So I'll just take this as gossip.

IF it's true, that would be great. But it's sounds too good to be true.

Actually if I recall correctly the 'Peter Brooks' adaptation is nto really a film, rather it was a stage presentation, which was recorded and later serialized for television. What I want it is a true 3 part film with Indians and only Indians playing all the parts. Hollywood should maybe produce it and get Shekhar Kapur to direct it with an all new cast for atleast all the major characters.

wasn't Raj Kumar Santoshi supposed to direct/produce one such film trilogy as this?

BRChopras serial is fantastic! Enjoyed every episode, start to finish.

SRK, Fine, Amir & Rani need to hit the road. Amir doesn't look manly enough to play Karan or Arjun, Amir looks like he could get his arse kicked with SRK's hands tied behind his back

Mani Ratnam, bah! like I said in the other thread, I want the chinese to direct! although it would be interesting for Rahman to score music