'Ramayan' versus 'Hanuman': The battle is on

The Mahabharat over the Ramayan begins. If "Hanuman" has Uru Patel and a reported budget of $60 million, "Ramayan" is also being made on an unprecedented budget.

So it's Raj Kumar Santoshi versus Louis Mendoki, who will direct "Hanuman". And both are heading towards an international battle at the box office.

Santoshi has rushed to London to finalise the special effects. Speaking from there he said: "We're looking at some very big special-effects houses out here. "Ramayan" is going to be made on a global scale. So far, the tale has only had an impact on Indians. Now we want the profound morality of the Ramayan to embrace the entire globe."

And that is precisely what Uru Patel also hopes to achieve with "Hanuman". His project has already zeroed in on the F-X team. Mark Rappaport and his company Creature Effects Inc., which is responsible for the amazing optical wizardry in "The Chronicles Of Narnia" and "300", will be working on the special effects for "Hanuman".

Santoshi has set a date to start shooting "Ramayan". "I hope to start early next year."

However, he added that he wants to direct two small projects before plunging into the "Ramayan". "But we're certain about starting "Ramayan" on schedule. As for "Hanuman", I see no problem there. Our mythology, especially the Ramayan, is such a storehouse of knowledge and open to so many interpretations. I'm sure they'll have their own take and we'll have our own."

One thing is for sure. Next year is going to be the year of mythological movies. Bobby Bedi is planning to film his own take on the Ramayan while Rituparno wants to film the Drapaudi episode from the Mahabharat with Bipasha Basu in the lead.

Indo-Asian News Service