There has been a lot of talk about a grand and big budget Mahabharat movie, especially after the announcement of Ranbir Kapoor and Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana. Even Aamir Khan recently spoke about how he has been considering making Mahabharat for years, but he wants to ensure it is done with the scale and depth it deserves. Given the complexity of the epic, selecting the right director is crucial. Because the Mahabharat is not just a story, but it is also the culture of our land. We need someone who not just focuses on the visuals, but also doesn’t take away the essence of dharma from the story. Here are seven Indian filmmakers who could possibly do justice to this legendary epic.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Sanjay Leela Bhansali is often seen as a controversial choice for Mahabharat. While some criticize his tendency to focus on visual splendour over storytelling, some do believe he is the perfect fit. His films Padmaavat and Bajirao Mastani have shown his ability to handle historical and mythological themes with grand sets, rich costumes, and intense emotions. If Bhansali takes on Mahabharat, we can expect breathtaking visuals with stunning action sequences.
Ajay Devgn
While most recognize Ajay Devgn as an actor, he also proved his capability as a director with Shivaay. However, it was his production Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior that showed us his ability to bring historical narratives to life with thrilling action and stunning VFX. Devgn’s dedication to authenticity and his understanding of battle choreography could make him an interesting choice for Mahabharat. Though he is not known for directing historical and mythological films, his experience with action films could bring a grounded and intense movie that stays true to the epic.
Neeraj Pandey
Neeraj Pandey is famous for his tight, intelligent storytelling in films like A Wednesday, Special 26, and Baby. While he has not explored mythology or historical epics, his ability to handle political issues, war strategies, and morally complex characters makes him a strong candidate for Mahabharat. If Pandey were to direct the film, it would likely focus on the deep political mind games of Mahabharat, highlighting the tactical brilliance of Krishna, Bhishma, and Shakuni.
Prakash Jha
Prakash Jha has already directed a modern adaptation of Mahabharat with Raajneeti, which was heavily inspired by the epic. He has also explored themes of war, betrayal and power struggles in films like Chakravyuh (which takes its name from a key event in Mahabharat). Since most of his movies are based on modern-day, they tend to have a political narrative. This is why if Prakash Jha were to direct Mahabharat, he would need to ensure that the film remains true to the original epic. His expertise in political drama and war narratives could definitely make for a gripping retelling.
You can read our exclusive interview with Prakash Jha here.
S Shankar
Shankar is known for his grand, high-budget films with powerful themes of justice and politics, which are central to Mahabharat. While he has not directed historical or mythological films, his movies like Indian, Nayak, Shivaji and Enthiran (Robot) prove his expertise in making visually spectacular cinema, with a strong focus on morality, justice and politics. His strength lies in making complex themes accessible to the masses while keeping the scale grand and engaging. A Mahabharat under Shankar would likely be an intense, visually stunning spectacle with a strong social message.
Chandoo Mondeti
Chandoo Mondeti has proven his ability to merge mythology with the modern day, through Karthikeya and Karthikeya 2. These films explored ancient mysteries, divine interventions, and historical legends, making him a good choice for Mahabharat. His understanding of Hindu mythology and his ability to blend action, adventure, and mystery could result in a refreshing and exciting take on the epic. With the big success of Karthikeya 2, which also won him the National Film Award, Mondeti has shown that audiences love mythological films, as long as the movies are well-crafted, and stays true to our Indian roots.
S. S. Rajamouli
Needless to say, S. S. Rajamouli is undoubtedly among the best choices for Mahabharat. His Baahubali series proved that Indian cinema can achieve grand storytelling on an international scale, with stunning visuals, larger-than-life action sequences, and powerful emotions. Though the story was quite average, due to its visuals, Baahubali was considered a milestone in Indian filmmaking.
However, Rajamouli didn’t stop there. His next film, RRR, became an even bigger success and sensation. With its gripping story, breathtaking action, and intense emotional moments, RRR was not just a blockbuster in India but also earned international recognition, even winning a Golden Globe and even the Oscar for its song Naatu Naatu.
If Rajamouli were to direct Mahabharat, he can bring his expertise in epic storytelling, strong character arcs, and breathtaking battle sequences. His ability to handle large-scale narratives show that he might be the best person suitable for this project.
Conclusion
A grand film on Mahabharat will definitely require a director with a deep understanding of Indian history, mythology, politics, with an experience in larger-than-life storytelling. Do we really have someone who can do justice to a Mahabharat movie? The question still lingers. And we are still unsure who will take on the challenge of bringing India’s greatest epic to the big screen!
