Prakash Jha has accumulated a formidable cast of actors for his next directorial venture `Rajniti` that blends contemporary Indian politics with chapters from the `Mahabharata`.
`Ajay Devgan will play a modern day Karna. And, believe it or not, Nana Patekar, who was fantastic as the corrupt politician in `Apaharan`, has been cast as Lord Krishna,` Jha told reporters.
`Rajniti` will be the most expensive film Jha has ever produced.
Also in the cast are Viveik Oberoi and Manoj Bajpai. `These are actors I`ve not worked with before. I`m looking forward to directing them.
`Ajay and Nana are old friends. We share a fantastic comfort level.`
In fact, recently the Marathi Nana and the Bihari Jha participated in a debate on the anti-north Indian campaign led by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) Chief Raj Thackeray in Maharashtra on a TV channel.
After the debate, Raj Thackeray apparently rang up Jha for presenting a balanced view.
`Raj is a friend and an intelligent, educated man. I truly believe artistes need to rise above politics. I make cinema on politics, but I`d never be part of it.
`Likewise Nana, who was so stunning as a wily politician in `Apaharan`, will I`m sure be equally adept at playing Krishna in my `Rajniti`,` said Jha, who has the politically charged film `GangaaJal` to his credit.
The crucial question before Jha now is to find a suitable actor to play Arjun. The character, as conceived by Jha, modernises the mythological elements from the `Mahabharata`.
Jha is thinking of roping in an upcoming superstar, who`s currently being toasted as the most exciting actor since Shah Rukh Khan, to play the role. However, he didn`t disclose the name.
`Yes, I`ve an ideal actor in mind for the role of Arjun.`
`Rajniti` won`t be the first contemporary take on the `Mahabharata`. Three decades ago, Shyam Benegal attempted to incorporate elements from the epic into contemporary entrepreneurship in the film `Kalyug`.
Now Jha will blend mythology with Indian politics. Interestingly, earlier he wanted to film just the Draupadi section of the `Mahabharata` with Madhuri Dixit in the lead. He shelved the idea when he heard other filmmakers were barking up the same tree.
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