“Only Mohanlal could play Bheeman in The Mahabharata” states director VA Shrikumar
Mohanlal is all set to play Bheeman for MT’s Award winning novel Randamoozham which is to be visually presented as The Mahabharata by ad film maker VA Shrikumar Menon. The movie produced by business tycoon BR Shetty for a gigantic 1000 crores budget will also assemble stars from in and out the country. Mohanlal who had faced a lot of criticism through various social media recently after the announcement has not yet responded to any.
The director many a times had praised the writer’s brilliance in bringing out such an epic novel. He had also not forgotten to credit the actor for portraying the vital character in the flick. VA Shrikumar Menon recently gave an interview to a leading FM station in Dubai, saying “In my perspective there is no other actor in this world who could play Bheeman other than Mohanlal. I would have returned the script to MT sir if Mohanlal had declined the project. I would crank the camera only if he is there in my frame”
He continued “I believe that in today’s world only Mohanlal could replicate the same Bheeman. And as a director I am fully confident on that fact. I had given the same reply to the Bollywood stars when they asked me the motive behind casting him as Bheeman”
He had also narrated his connection with MT sir: “MT Vasudevan Nair sir was my father’s classmate and a close friend of his. Both had used to write a lot during their times. The letters MT sir had sent to my father is always considered as jewels. But I never had a personal bond with the legendary writer”
He had also praised the producer for investing a huge amount for the movie which emphasizes the Indian culture: “It was during a function that I had met Mr. BR Shetty, he was talking on the importance of Mahabharata and narrating stories to many. I had later informed him about the project that was kept in my mind. Shetty had told me he had to thoroughly go through MT’s Randamoozham and would inform me later. Later he had called me and asked when should we start the project. It was his idea of releasing the movie as two parts so that it gives the audience a deeper look into the culture of our land. Shetty was ready to invest 1000 crores for the project which was said to cost approximately 850 crores”
The movie which is said to be released by 2020 begins shoot from September next year. Apart from actors in the India industry it would also witness collaboration of stars from foreign industries. The movie is reported to be the second costliest flick in Asia and the costliest in India. The director had earlier informed that the casting processes managed by an international company had kick started and technical works would commence soon.
