/> The mahabarat over the Ramayan begins. And if the Hanuman project has Uru Patel and a reported budget of $60 million, Ramayan is also being made on an unprecedented budget.

So it's Raj Kumar Santoshi versus Louis Mendoki. And both are heading towards an international battle at the boxoffice.

Santoshi has rushed to London to finalize the special effects. Speaking from there he says, "We're looking at some very big special-effects houses out here. Our Ramayan is going to be made on a global scale. So far the tale has only had an impact on Indians. Now we want the profound morality of the Ramayan to embrace the entire globe. "

And that's precisely what Uru Patel hopes to achieve with Hanuman. His project has already firmed in on the F-X team. Mark Rappaport and his company Creature Effects Inc responsible for the amazing optical wizardry in The Chronicles Of Narnia and 300.

Santoshi has already set a date to start shooting Ramayan. "I hope to start early next year." Though he also adds he hopes to direct two other much smaller projects before plunging into the Ramayan.

"But we're certain about starting on schedule. As for the Hanuman project I see no problem there. Our mythology specially the Ramayan is such a storehouse of knowledge and open to so many interpretations. I'm sure they'll have their own take and we'll have our own."

One thing is for sure. Next year is going to be a year of mythologicals. Apart from the Ramayan and Hanuman projects, Bobby Bedi is planning a take on the Ramayan while Rituparno just wants to film the Drapaudi episode from the Mahabharat with Bipasha Basu in the lead.