Santoshi’s ‘Mahabharat’ the biggest film ever:

By Bollywood Hungama -

May 13, 2003 - 12:00 AM IST

Rajkumar Santoshi is in the midst of KHAKEE, which stars some of the biggest names in the business. But the project he's going to start for a South producer will be bigger than all his previous films. In fact, it should prove to be the biggest Hindi film Indian cinema has ever produced, in terms of the star cast as well as the budget [it could touch or exceed Rs. 100 crores, Santoshi divulges]. Titled MAHABHARAT, the film will be made in two parts simultaneously. Since I'd be shooting the film at a stretch, the duration of the film will exceed 5 hours. Hence, the film will be released in two separate versions of 2.30 hours each, Santoshi tells me. He continues, Like it happens in Hollywood, there's always a sequel that follows a hit film. Like the HARRY POTTER series or the THE LORD OF THE RINGS follow-ups. We hope to try something like that in India this time. However, Santoshi clarifies that both the films won't be released simultaneously. Though both would be ready at the same time, we would release the second part after a 6-month gap at least, he states. As far as the casting goes, Santoshi has already pencilled some of the biggest names for the two films. Amitabh Bachchan will enact the role of Bhishma Pitamah, Sunny Deol will be seen as Karan, Sanjay Dutt will essay the role of Duryodhan, Ajay Devgan would be seen in the role of Lord Krishna and Arjun Rampal will play Arjun. So far, only these names have been finalised, he discloses. And Draupadi? Who would enact that role? Aishwarya Rai, he adds quickly. The project will roll once Santoshi gets free from KHAKEE and the A. Purnachandra Rao-produced project he has just signed, starring Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan together for the first time.