Eminent filmmaker Shyam Benegal is all set to make a film on Gautam Buddha. Talks are on for roping in Hrithik Roshan for the film. Beyond Dreams Entertainment Limited and Light of Asia Foundation of Colombo are planning to make the film as a joint venture.
After working on the project for almost eight months, the two companies have worked out a multi-million project to make a film on the legendary personality.
'This is a historic moment for South Asian Cinema. We are about to tell the story of a man who was born in Indian Subcontinent and redefined the way the world thinks- Gautama Buddha. The impact of his philosophy can be measured by the fact that hundreds of millions of people across the globe have embraced it and made it a way of life. Buddha's philosophy is more contemporary today than ever before' pronounced Beyond Dreams Entertainment Limited's CEO Yash Patnaik.
Noted screenplay writer Atul Tiwari has been roped in to write the story, screenplay and dialogue of this epic. Tiwari has written many landmark movies like 'Bose, the Forgotten Hero,' 'Mission Kashmir' etc. Professor Nimal D'Silva, leading Buddhist scholar in the South Asia region has been appointed to head the research along with scholars from China, Japan and Korea.
An Indian delegation headed by Patnaik has already done a location study along with Mr. Benegal and Tiwari. During the trip Benegal and Patnaik visited the President of Sri Lanka His Excellency Mahinda Rajapakshe who gave his full hearted support for the project.
Mr. Navin Gooneratne, Chairman of Light of Asia Foundation said, "The message of the film Buddha gives answers both to the global crisis of conflict and environment." He also informed that he had been nurturing the dream of making a film on Buddha for the past 20 years.
Gooneratne has already acquired over 1000 acres of land near Colombo where a massive set will be build to recreate the era for the filming of the epic.
The film is expected to go on floor around mid-2008 and slated for a mid-2009 release.