Ramayan and Mahabharat inspire mega film projects

Mumbai: The epics Ramayan and Mahabharat seem to be the latest favourites of our filmmakers. A host of new films have been launched, with plots that seem influenced by the epics. Not only Bollywood, South Indian film artistes also seem intrigued by the epics lately.

The fetish for Ramayan, particularly, has been seen in Bollywood in the past, too. Sooraj Barjatya’s 1999 hit Hum Saath-Saath Hain and Karan Johar’s Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001) are automatic recalls when you think of epic inspiration by way of theme in Bollywood. These earlier films, though, primarily drew drama quotients from the epics. The upcoming roster promises to explore the stories with bigger production values, to say the least.

Here’s a look at what’s in store:

Ram Setu

Actor-producer Akshay Kumar has carved his space with patriotism and socially relevant commentary through mainstream films lately. With Abhishek Sharma’s Ram Setu, he is falling back on mythology. Announcing the film on Twitter last year, Akshay had said the endeavour was “to keep alive the ideals of Ram in the consciousness of all Bharatiyas by building a bridge (setu) that will connect generations to come”.

Brahmastra

Ayan Mukerji’s ambitious action fantasy draws its name from Mahabharat, where Brahmastra was a lethal supernatural weapon capable of destroying the entire universe. The film stars Amitabh Bachchan, Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Nagarjuna Akkineni and Mouni Roy in key roles, and is said to be first part of a trilogy.

The Immortal Ashwatthama

According to the story of Mahabharat, Ashwathama is the son of guru Dronacharya, who was the weapon instructor of the Pandavas and the Kauravas. During the battle of Kurukshetra, Ashvatthama sided with the Kauravas and fought against the Pandavas. As per the epic, he is immortal. The Immortal Ashwatthama is a superhero film starring Vicky Kaushal in the lead and will be helmed by Aditya Dhar.