John-Bip's very own Mahabharat!

John-Bip's very own Mahabharat!
Tuesday, May 15, 2007 12:11 IST
By Santa Banta News Network
It looks like the 'media mischief' between Bengal's prized celluloid creator Rituparno Ghosh and John Abraham are over. Claiming he was misquoted on John being a misfit to play Bhootnath in Pritish Nandy Communications Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam, Ritu says he's now at peace with the idea.

"I never said I was unhappy with John as an actor. We sorted out the differences. Not just Bhootnath. I also want John to play Arjun in my Mahabharat where Bipasha will be Draupadi. He has the right personality for my version of the epic. Initially I did have reservations about John as Bhootnath.

But if you remember, I also had reservations about Kiran Kher in Bariwali. Finally she was fine. Once I came to terms with John as Bhootnath, I've decided to re-write the character to suit his persona."

Ritu describes his Draupadi as a mixture of B.R. Chopra's Mahabharat and Peter Brooks' take on the Hindu epic.

"Draupadi has a huge canvas We can't possibly show her whole life. It's the Mahabharat seen from Draupadi's point of view. It would be very intimate, womanist and minimalist...

I think B.R. Chopra did a great job of familiarizing the nation with the Mahabharat. Now everyone know who's who in the epic, so my job is made easier."

Ritu's Draupadi would be a mixture of Mallika Sarabhai in Peter Brooks' Mahabharat and Roopa Ganguly in B.R. Chopra's take on the epic.

"Bipasha was chosen primarily because of her skin complexion. Colour politics is very important in the Mahabharat. Three of the characters Krishna, Vyas and Draupadi have to be really dark.... Bipasha is a very contemporary actress. But to me getting the look right is half the battle.

She has the sensuality, enigma and the beauty. When I worked in Chokher Bali with Aishwarya Rai everyone said she was plastic. But see what she did."

The film will be made at an estimated budget of Rs 8 crores. "That isn't too much money. I don't see my Draupadi as a lavish flamboyant kitschy epic. But the whole film will be shot outdoors in Ladakh. My story starts after the great epic war."

Ritu wants regional actors to play the Pandavas. "That would make mine a pan-Indian film. But for Dhritirashtra and Kunti I want Naseer and Shabana. Shabana has already agreed. All the Pandavas have to be tall and rugged."

Ritu has lined up two period epics for this year. "But making Draupadi and then going into Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam would be no stress for me. Yes they're much bigger films than my two new films Khela and Sunglass.

But making epics aren't a daunting task. No matter what the size of a film its making will fill you with the nervous excitement of trying out the unknown. But yes, making Sahib Bibi.... Will be easier than Draupadi.

I know the milieu. Now I'm looking forward to making another Hindi film specially after seeing Rang De Basanti. What a film!

After Aks I didn't have much faith in Rakeysh Mehra. But Rang De Basanti is so wonderful, so well-acted, so fresh in thought and execution. Some major films about youth had no sense of purpose. Rang De ...has a cause."
Singham Again Shatters Box Office Records: Earns 225.30 Crore in India!

Ajay Devgn's much-anticipated film, Singham Again, directed by Rohit Shetty, is making waves at the box office as it enters its third week. The action-packed family entertainer

Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Singham Again Sets Box Office on Fire, Smashes 200 Crore Mark!

Bollywood blockbuster Singham Again has taken the box office by storm, racing past the impressive 200 crore net milestone in India. The film, a spectacular addition to the action-packed

Monday, November 11, 2024
'Freedom at Midnight' Trailer - A Riveting Glimpse into the Final Moments of India's Independence!

The much-anticipated trailer for the streaming series Freedom at Midnight has finally been released, promising a gripping period drama that takes viewers back to the pivotal moments

Saturday, November 09, 2024
'Sikandar Ka Muqaddar' starring Tamannaah Bhatia set to drop on THIS date!

The release date for 'Sikandar Ka Muqaddar', featuring pan-India star Tamannaah Bhatia in lead role, has been announced. The streaming platform for the film, Netflix has officially

Friday, November 08, 2024
With the success of 'Bhool Bhulaiya 3', let's revisit the greatest horror content of all times!

We've rounded up five of the most terrifying and iconic horror stories of all time. These spine-chilling stories have left lasting impressions with their eerie atmospheres, unforgettable

Thursday, November 07, 2024
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT