To be directed by V A Shrikumar Menon, Indian cinema’s most expensive film, Randamoozham (Mahabharata in other languages) is set to go on the floors by the end of 2018. Based on the book by M T Vasudevan Nair, the film is to be bankrolled by UAE-based entrepreneur, B R Shetty.
Director Shrikumar Menon is convinced it will be a visual wonder. “Mahabharata is an epic, and demands epic treatment. We won’t compromise on any aspect of its making. The producer has given us his word that the budget will not be a constraint,” he says.
Shrikumar reveals that the full details will be shared at an official launch in May. For the moment, it is reported that many Academy Award-winners will be part of the film. “Yes, we are negotiating with the best talents in the film world.
We want this to be a truly global film. Many Hollywood technicians have already expressed their interest. They are all deeply respectful of the Mahabharata. We will announce the crew shortly,” the director says.
Legendary writer M T Vasudevan Nair, whose book the film is based on, has already scripted the final version. “The movie has been in the pipeline for over two years. When I approached MT sir, he gave me a complete script. He has taken my suggestions too. It’s a blessing to be listening to his narration,” Shrikumar says.
The making
Shrikumar believes that the shooting will take over three years, and that the film will be made in two parts, with the first likely to hit the screens in 2020 and the second 90 days later. “We will shoot the film in English, Hindi, Malayalam, Kannada, Telugu and Tamil.
It will be dubbed into all the prominent world languages,” he says. Work on the film is expected to begin after Shrikumar is finished with his directorial debut, Odiyan, which also stars Mohanlal.
Mohanlal’s role
According to the director, Mohanlal will play Bheema in the film. “He will have to undergo a lot of physical and mental training. The character he plays undergoes a lot of emotional turmoil and
Lal is the one actor who can convey all that to perfection,” he adds.
The rest of the cast, expected to include Amitabh Bachchan, hasn’t been finalised. The team has entrusted an international casting company with the task. “The project will definitely see the participation of many Indian and international stars,” says Shrikumar.
Mohanlal, in a statement, stopped just short of confirming his participation. “I feel honoured that my name has been mentioned for the role of Bheema, ever since news of a cinematic adaptation of MT Vasudevan Nair’s Randamoozham started doing the rounds.
I am humbled that the author himself has envisioned me for enacting the role,” he said.
“A film based on Randamoozham, if it has to do justice to Mahabharata, has to be created in epic dimensions to reach a global audience.
I salute a visionary like BR Shetty for agreeing to come forward and invest Rs 1000 crore.”
The ambition
The commencement of the project is the result of Shrikumar Menon’s relentless pursuit. He has reportedly been working on make this a reality for a long time. The film’s producer, BR Shetty, is amazed by the scale of Mahabharata.
He says, “It is the epic of all epics. Our film will make India proud across the world. I believe that it will not only set global benchmarks, but also repoisition our country and its prowess in mythological storytelling. I am blown away by the screenplay of M T Vasudevan Nair and have deep faith in the ability of Shrikumar.”