The actress, along with Madhu Mantena, is producing a film that narrates Mahabharat from the female protagonist’s point of view
MUMBAI MIRROR (October 25, 2019)

Mirror had earlier reported (October 5, 2018) that Deepika Padukone was turning producer with Chhapaak, which is directed by Meghna Gulzar and revolves around acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal. Twelve months later, the actress is pushing the envelope further with her third production after Chhapaak and ’83, the Mahabharat.

The epic extravaganza unfolds through the eyes of its female protagonist, Draupadi, with Deepika in the central role. The actress is collaborating with Madhu Mantena for the lavishly-mounted project which will also be a one-of-its-kind in Hindi cinema and is being planned to be made in two or more parts, with the first part scheduled for a Diwali 2021 unveiling.

Deepika, who has already distinguished herself in bravura roles, including Cocktail, Ram Leela, Chennai Express, Bajirao Mastani, Piku and Padmaavat, is delighted to be spearheading another challenge. “I’m absolutely thrilled and honoured to be essaying the role of Draupadi. I truly believe that it is the role of a lifetime,” she exults.

Her joint producer Madhu is equally delighted, acknowledging that it is a huge responsibility to be re-telling this mythological tale on the big screen. “While we have all consumed the Mahabharat all our lives, the uniqueness of our film is seeing the same story from the point of view of Draupadi, who is one of the most significant heroines in our country’s cultural history. And Deepika is not just the biggest Indian actress today, but someone who can take this narrative across borders. If it weren’t with her, we would not be making this film on such an ambitious scale,” the filmmaker asserts.

The duo is in advanced talks with A-list filmmakers to be a part of their epical universe. Simultaneously, discussions are also on with leading actors to join the franchise. It is a project that can redefine Hindi cinema, not just in terms of production values but also in its content.

As Deepika points out, “While the Mahabharat is popularly known for its mythological tales and cultural influences, many life lessons are also derived from it, but most often from its men. Telling it with this fresh and new perspective will not only be interesting, but also very significant.”

And so, get ready for the battle royale again, only this time with a woman commanding the plot and narrative.
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Deepika Padukone announces her next production after Chhapaak, to play Draupadi in multi-part Mahabharat
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; October 25, 2019)

Her maiden production, Chhapaak, may be a few months away from its date with the audience, but Deepika Padukone has already greenlit her next venture. The actor, in collaboration with producer Madhu Mantena, will bring Mahabharat to the big screen. Continuing her streak of portraying powerful author-backed parts, Padukone will breathe life into one of the Indian epic's most enduring characters, Draupadi. Interestingly, the story will be told from the perspective of the female protagonist.

"We all know the Mahabharat for its mythological tales and socio-cultural influence. We derive many of life's lessons from the epic. But the narrative we are most familiar with is that of the epic's leading men. This new perspective will be not only interesting but also significant," says Padukone, who has constantly striven to tell stories of female bravado with her offerings. Her next, Chhapaak, directed by Meghna Gulzar, is inspired by the life of acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal.

Aware that three hours is too little to do justice to Draupadi's journey from her birth in Panchala to her role in the destruction of the Kauravas, the duo intends to make it a multi-part franchise, with the first edition slated to release in Diwali 2021.

Padukone acknowledges that mounting the film on the grand scale that it deserves, is both daunting as well as creatively fulfilling. "While I'm thrilled and honoured, I'm also nervous and can only hope that we are able to create something that we can all be proud of. I believe this is the role and opportunity of a lifetime."

While the duo is scouting for a director to give shape to their vision, they are also in discussion with leading actors to step into the pivotal roles of Yudhishthir, Arjuna, Bheem, Nakul and Sahdev. "We all know and have studied Mahabharat throughout our lives but not from the point of view of Draupadi, who happens to be one of the most important female icons in Indian history. This is an ambitious project, and if not for Deepika, we wouldn't be so confident about taking on this challenge," says Mantena, adding that they will announce the rest of the cast and creative team soon.