Film producer Bobby Bedi-promoted Kaleidoscope Entertainment is planning a mega television series on the 'Mahabharat', which will be preceded by a four-month talent hunt to select actors for the 4,000-year-old epic's latest small screen depiction.

"The project will go on for three and half years and cost Rs 300-400 crore," Beddy told.

Bedi made a special presentation on his ambitious project during 'India- The Big Picture' conference organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on the eve of the International Film Festival of India - 2006 here today.

"The project will herald with the talent hunt to choose a galaxy of mythological actors and characters depicted in the 4,000-year-old epic," he said.

What's interesting is that besides the nationwide talent hunt there will be beauty pageant to select the `apsaras'.

"The hunt has been planned because there is a shortage of talent in the Indian entertainment industry," Bedi, who has films like `Bandit Queen', `Maqbool' and `Mangal Pandey' to his credit, said.

Giving a fizz to the entire process, he said, animation, gaming and picture book based on `Mahabharat' will also be part of the project.

"For gaming, there will be characters like Arjun and Abhimanyu as well as war formations such as chakravhuha," he added.