Over the years, we have seen different versions of the Mahabharat and Ramayan on the silver and small screen. But Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan and B R Chopra’s Mahabharat continue to be the top favourites with most viewers.
For some reason, Bollywood has not explored the epics though Amaan Khan had directed an animated version of Mahabharat in 2013 which had voiceovers done by Amitabh Bachchan, Sunny Deol, Vidya Balan, Ajay Devgn, Anil Kapoor and Jackie Shroff.
On Monday, film expert Taran Adarsh announced that Madhu Mantena, Allu Aravind and Namit Malhotra are producing Ramayan on the big screen. The film will be directed by Nitesh Tiwari and Ravi Udyawar. “BIGGG NEWS... Producers Allu Aravind, Madhu Mantena and Namit Malhotra (Prime Focus) to make #Ramayana for the big screen... Nitesh Tiwari [#Dangal] and Ravi Udyawar [#Mom] will direct the three-part series... Will be shot in 3D and released in #Hindi, #Tamil and #Telugu,” Taran posted.
This is for the first time that so many mainstream film personalities are coming together to bring the epic alive on screen.
The live-action film will be reportedly made on a budget of Rs 500 crore. The project has been a work in progress for the past three years, Taran added.
“Ramayana will be made with actors from Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Gujarati and Punjabi film industries as the makers are targeting a pan-India as well as global audience,” read a statement from the makers.
Nitesh, whose work includes the blockbuster Dangal, said that it was a huge responsibility because the Ramayan is not just a revered text in Indian mythology but also an integral part of our culture and more relevant today. “We are ensuring that whatever is said and shown has the stamp of authenticity,” he said.
Ravi added to this saying, “I heard these stories from my grandmother and mother and passed them on to my children. Everybody knows the story of Ram, Sita and Raavan, it’s the story-telling that will make our trilogy memorable and I’m putting everything I have learnt into it to make it fun and engaging while staying true to the original.”
The makers are yet to announce the names of the actors who will be part of the film and when it’s set to release.
