Hollywood superstar Angelina Jolie is apparently Prakash Jha's first choice for the lead role of Draupadi in his magnum opus, says a media report.Traditionally, adaptations of the Mahabharata have been jinxed, Mani Ratnam's Raavan bombing at the box-office, being the prime example. But Prakash Jha's successful adaptation of the epic in Raajneeti has given him the confidence to direct carry his affinity to the grand epic even further.
Prakash Jha will now go ahead with his long-cherished dream of adapting the Draupadi section of the Mahabharata to the large screen. This is a project that he had wanted to make two years ago with Madhuri Dixit in the lead. But the budget and the inherent suspicion of Mahabharata adaptations kept Jha from taking the plunge.
But now he's all set to make Drapaudi , and that too as an international film in English with an international cast and crew. Says Jha, “Draupadi is the ultimate tribute to womanhood. I've wanted to make it for years. Yes, Madhuri was my choice earlier. But now I'm going to make it as an international film with an international cast on a budget that would make the film a grand epic.”
Adds Jha, “The actors have to be exotic in their features since my Draupadi would be set in the mountains. If you've seen Peter Brooks's celebrated stage adaptation of the Mahabharata it starred Mallika Sarabhai who does have exquisite features.” Angelina Jolie is apparently Jha's first choice for the title role. Incidentally Rituparno Ghosh wants to make Draupadi with Bipasha Basu in the lead.
