An array of Mahabharata
Bollywood looks enamoured with the epic saga and wants to tell it from different perspectives
Vyasa’s Mahabharata has usually come under scrutiny for not being told from the point of view of its characters such as Draupadi and Karna. It looks like Bollywood is set on filling that gap.
To begin with, while Aamir Khan was known to have been working on his version of the epic saga, in which he was keen to play the character of Karna, Rakeysh Om Prakash Mehra is also said to be working on his version of the story with Shahid Kapoor as Karna and Atul Kulkarni as Krishna.
Similarly, not too long ago, even Deepika Padukone had announced a film with Madhu Mantenna, in which she wanted to narrate Mahabharata from Draupadi’s viewpoint. In fact, when announcing the film, Deepika had even said, “I’m absolutely thrilled and honoured to be essaying the role of Draupadi. I truly believe that it is the role of a lifetime. While Mahabharata is popularly known for its mythological tales and cultural influence, many of life’s lessons are also derived from it, but most often from [the perspective of] its men. Telling it with this fresh and new perspective will not only be interesting but also very significant.”
Meanwhile, southern filmmaker RS Vimal had also planned a magnum opus called Mahavir Karna, with Vikram playing the lead. Now, we hear producer Vashu Bhagnani has come on board to back this film, which will now be called Suryaputra Mahavir Karna. The cast of the film, however, has not been announced. The makers also released a special effects-laden teaser of the film, which is to be made in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam.
Apparently, the makers have also roped in Dr Kumar Vishwas to pen the dialogues, lyrics and additional screenplay of the film.
Anandhi Kayal married her beau Socrates last month (January 7) in Warangal. The wedding was a private event and only close friends and family were in attendance. But marriage hasn’t had any impact on her career path, says the actress. “We have known each other for four years and our friendship blossomed, so we decided to get married,” explains Anandhi.
“Nothing has changed after marriage,” says the 24-year-old actress, adding that marriage won’t prevent her from signing films.
“In fact, I have started to listen to more scripts after my wedding and I have been able to strike a perfect balance between personal and professional life,” she says. She will soon be seen in the Sudheer Babu-starrer Sridevi Soda Center. “I believe it’s the performance that gets you offers,” the actress says, stressing her view that marriage doesn’t bring down women’s capabilities. “If a working woman outside the industry gets married, will she quit her job? We are the same. I am an actor, and I want to continue acting. says the Irandam Ulagaporin Kadaisi Gundu star.
Away from arc lights, Anandhi very private person.
“I only use social media to promote my films,” she says, adding that she was shooting until two days before her marriage. “I could not even shop properly,” she reveals.
She re-commenced shooting about a week after the wedding.
“Thankfully my husband isn’t complaining,” she quips. Socrates is a marine engineer by profession.
“He worked as an Assistant Director too since he was passionate about films, and he will soon make his directorial debut,” says the Kadavul Irukaan Kumaru star. Since the couple is in the film industry, do they discuss films, we ask. “We do discuss movies, but when it comes to scripts, I believe in my instincts and take a call,” she says. Although Anandhi Kayal is a Telugu girl (born in Warangal), she’s very popular in the Tamil film industry. She says she’s planning to sign more films in Telugu
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