Posted:
Period movies are suddenly big. Every filmmaker seem eager to take on the epic mantle. While Ketan Mehta's Mangal Pandey is on its way, Ashutosh Gowariker has also announced his intentions of making Akbar-Jodha next.
But the most interesting historical epic is yet to come. It's the one based on the romance between the Rajput emperor Prithviraj Chauhan and his ladylove Samyukta.
Two prominent filmmakers, Raj Kumar Santoshi (Khakee) and Chandraprakash Diwedi (Pinjar), want to bring the same epic to the big screen. And they both want to cast Aishwarya in the female lead.
Explains Rai, "Santoshiji and I almost did Prithviraj-Samyukta. But then we zeroed in on another project, Saamna, which we're starting later this year."
"But Prithviraj-Samyukta is very much on, though not necessarily with Santoshiji."
"Dr. Chandraprakash Diwedi wanted to make a movie on the same subject and was adamant to do Prithviraj-Samyukta with me. I told him I was ethically committed to Santoshiji for the subject. He said, 'Dono kar lo.'"
"But why should two good filmmakers make the same film? The core personality of the historical figure gets diluted in the duplication."
And she has a point.
This is exactly what happened with Santoshi and Guddu Dhanoa's biopics on Bhagat Singh.
"The whole idea gets lost in superficial comparisons. I spoke to both directors and we've decided I'll play Samyukta for whoever makes the film first. Both agreed that only one of them would make the film."
"This was a settlement worked out among the three of us. Both Rajji and Chandraprakashji have done ample research and are ready to share their knowledge with each other."
So who will finally make this prestigious costume epic? We wager our bets on Dr Diwedi.
Santoshi is currently busy with Family, featuring Amitabh Bachchan and Akshay Kumar. After that, he goes straight into Saamna with Aishwarya Rai, Ajay Devgan and Akshay Kumar. Thereafter, he's working on another film with Devgan.
The kind of discipline, dedication and focus required for an immense project like Prithviraj-Samyukta can be found only in a filmmaker with one assignment on hand.
After proving himself in the time-recall ambience of Pinjar, Dr Chandraprakash Diwedi would probably wangle the prized project.
But there's only one person who has the most to gain from this battle royal: be it Santoshi or Diwedi, Ash wins both ways.
There are numerous poems and scriptures written about the passion of their romance. However, their marriage was shortlived, as soon after that, the Mughal invader Muhammed of Ghori challenged Prtihviraj and defeated him.
There are numerous versions of what exactly happened after that. Some say Samyukta was raped by Ghori and she committed suicide as she couldn't bear the shame. Others say she died a natural death.
A lot has been written about the movies that Rajkumar Santoshi and Dr. Chandraprakash Dwivedi are planning to make on the life and times of Prithviraj Chauhan. But while Santoshi is busy with FAMILY - TIES OF BLOOD and SAAMNA, Dr. Chandraprakash has gone ahead and arranged finance for his magnum opus.
"We are all set to roll in September," Dr. Chandraprakash informs me, quashing rumors that the film wouldn't take off this year since the scripting is incomplete, "I am ready with the hardbound script [penned by Dr. Chandraprakash himself, with dialogues by B.M. Vyas, Vipul Mehta and Dr. Chandraprakash]."
To be filmed in Rajasthan in India and also in Russia, there's a strong possibility that the film will be made in two languages simultaneously -- Hindi and English. "We should proudly show our heroes to the world," Dr. Chandraprakash states.
The cast, as of now, is still uncertain. "Sunny Deol will of course head the cast, but the remaining actors are still being considered. We might opt for international actors for certain roles though," he enlightens. There's talk that Dr. Chandraprakash had approached Aishwarya Rai for the film. "Yes, I did have a meeting with her. I also suggested that she can work in both the projects [RKS, Dr. Chandraprakash]. There's a possibility that she might be a part of our film," he adds.
But the startling development is that Dr. Chandraprakash has decided to meet his 'opponent', Rajkumar Santoshi, before he commences filming of the film. Why? "He's a brilliant director who does extensive research on a project before he commences shooting. It's always better to interact with learned people, exchange ideas, keep oneself abreast of what's happening around," Dr. Chandraprakash maintains.
Meanwhile, well-known director Anand Mahendroo is involved in the project in the capacity of the completion guarantor. "I've to ensure that the film is made in right time, right cost and right quality," Anand tells me.
But the most interesting historical epic is yet to come. It's the one based on the romance between the Rajput emperor Prithviraj Chauhan and his ladylove Samyukta.
Two prominent filmmakers, Raj Kumar Santoshi (Khakee) and Chandraprakash Diwedi (Pinjar), want to bring the same epic to the big screen. And they both want to cast Aishwarya in the female lead.
Explains Rai, "Santoshiji and I almost did Prithviraj-Samyukta. But then we zeroed in on another project, Saamna, which we're starting later this year."
"But Prithviraj-Samyukta is very much on, though not necessarily with Santoshiji."
"Dr. Chandraprakash Diwedi wanted to make a movie on the same subject and was adamant to do Prithviraj-Samyukta with me. I told him I was ethically committed to Santoshiji for the subject. He said, 'Dono kar lo.'"
"But why should two good filmmakers make the same film? The core personality of the historical figure gets diluted in the duplication."
And she has a point.
This is exactly what happened with Santoshi and Guddu Dhanoa's biopics on Bhagat Singh.
"The whole idea gets lost in superficial comparisons. I spoke to both directors and we've decided I'll play Samyukta for whoever makes the film first. Both agreed that only one of them would make the film."
"This was a settlement worked out among the three of us. Both Rajji and Chandraprakashji have done ample research and are ready to share their knowledge with each other."
So who will finally make this prestigious costume epic? We wager our bets on Dr Diwedi.
Santoshi is currently busy with Family, featuring Amitabh Bachchan and Akshay Kumar. After that, he goes straight into Saamna with Aishwarya Rai, Ajay Devgan and Akshay Kumar. Thereafter, he's working on another film with Devgan.
The kind of discipline, dedication and focus required for an immense project like Prithviraj-Samyukta can be found only in a filmmaker with one assignment on hand.
After proving himself in the time-recall ambience of Pinjar, Dr Chandraprakash Diwedi would probably wangle the prized project.
But there's only one person who has the most to gain from this battle royal: be it Santoshi or Diwedi, Ash wins both ways.
There are numerous poems and scriptures written about the passion of their romance. However, their marriage was shortlived, as soon after that, the Mughal invader Muhammed of Ghori challenged Prtihviraj and defeated him.
There are numerous versions of what exactly happened after that. Some say Samyukta was raped by Ghori and she committed suicide as she couldn't bear the shame. Others say she died a natural death.
A lot has been written about the movies that Rajkumar Santoshi and Dr. Chandraprakash Dwivedi are planning to make on the life and times of Prithviraj Chauhan. But while Santoshi is busy with FAMILY - TIES OF BLOOD and SAAMNA, Dr. Chandraprakash has gone ahead and arranged finance for his magnum opus.
"We are all set to roll in September," Dr. Chandraprakash informs me, quashing rumors that the film wouldn't take off this year since the scripting is incomplete, "I am ready with the hardbound script [penned by Dr. Chandraprakash himself, with dialogues by B.M. Vyas, Vipul Mehta and Dr. Chandraprakash]."
To be filmed in Rajasthan in India and also in Russia, there's a strong possibility that the film will be made in two languages simultaneously -- Hindi and English. "We should proudly show our heroes to the world," Dr. Chandraprakash states.
The cast, as of now, is still uncertain. "Sunny Deol will of course head the cast, but the remaining actors are still being considered. We might opt for international actors for certain roles though," he enlightens. There's talk that Dr. Chandraprakash had approached Aishwarya Rai for the film. "Yes, I did have a meeting with her. I also suggested that she can work in both the projects [RKS, Dr. Chandraprakash]. There's a possibility that she might be a part of our film," he adds.
But the startling development is that Dr. Chandraprakash has decided to meet his 'opponent', Rajkumar Santoshi, before he commences filming of the film. Why? "He's a brilliant director who does extensive research on a project before he commences shooting. It's always better to interact with learned people, exchange ideas, keep oneself abreast of what's happening around," Dr. Chandraprakash maintains.
Meanwhile, well-known director Anand Mahendroo is involved in the project in the capacity of the completion guarantor. "I've to ensure that the film is made in right time, right cost and right quality," Anand tells me.
Pati Patni Aur Panga
Jaane Anjaane Hum Mile
Tum Se Tum Tak
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Vasudha
