Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, a film based on Homer’s legendary Greek epic, has released today. The film has opened to rave reviews across the globe.
Its arrival also raises an interesting question for Indian cinema. Is it now time for S.S. Rajamouli to seriously think about bringing the Mahabharata to theatres worldwide?
Indian audiences have already been introduced to Greek mythology through major films. Troy was inspired by Homer’s Iliad.
Now, Nolan has brought The Odyssey to the big screen on a massive scale. Perhaps it is India’s turn to present one of its greatest epics to a global audience.
Of course, the Mahabharata is far too vast for a single movie. But that need not be a problem. It can become a grand film franchise, with several parts released over many years.
Rajamouli appears to be the only Indian filmmaker best placed to take up such an enormous challenge. After Varanasi, he could seriously consider the Mahabharata as an international project.
Nolan’s casting choices for The Odyssey also offer an interesting direction. His cast includes actors from different ethnic and national backgrounds.
British actor Himesh Patel, who has Indian roots, plays Eurylochus. Kenyan-Mexican actor Lupita Nyong’o is also part of the film. The larger cast itself is American, rather than exclusively Greek.
Rajamouli could follow a similar approach. If he brings the Mahabharata to the big screen, he could choose talented artistes from across the world while keeping the soul of the Indian epic intact.
The global response to The Odyssey could send an encouraging message. Audiences are willing to embrace ancient stories when they are told with scale and vision.
The Mahabharata has drama, war, family conflicts, philosophy and unforgettable characters. With the right filmmaker and international presentation, this ageless Indian epic could become a truly global cinematic event.
James Cameron himself has expressed interest in collaborating with Rajamouli if the right idea comes along.
Perhaps Rajamouli could think along those lines and explore the possibility of making the Mahabharata as a grand international production.
Such a collaboration could take this timeless Indian epic to audiences across the world while retaining its Indian soul and identity.
For Indian cinema, it could be a moment of immense pride. Hopefully, we will hear some exciting news about such an ambitious project in the years ahead.
