I have always believed that the ancient epic Mahabharat is one of the best stories ever told. It is a morality fable, a story about one's loyalties and duties, about love, enemity, war, peace, flawed heroes, great sacrifice – just a wonderfully complex narrative that has endured over the ages. The fascination started during childhood when my grandfather would tell me stories from the Mahabharat and other epics and continued when I watched the televised version with the tacky crowns and laughable special effects. Now when Aamir Khan announced plans to act in and create a new adaptation of the epic; I was delighted! Others were less so, however.
According to reports, Aamir Khan has long cherished the desire to produce an adaptation of the Mahabharat; possibly a magnum opus in several parts. The actor's dream project will be part produced by Mukesh Ambani at the cost of Rs 1,000 crore, say reports.
Famous for his support to the current ruling dispensation and to Hindutva policies, François Gautier tweeted this. His divisive, provocative statement is of a piece, for all those who decry secularism and indulge in whataboutery when lost for an argument.
Lyricist, filmmaker Javed Akhar and outspoken critic of communal agendas – Hindu as well as Muslim – spoke out against Gautier; calling him a “scoundrel” spreading “perverse and poisonous thoughts in our country”. Akhtar took the names of several Muslims who have been a part of India’s syncretic traditions in the past. He also alluded to Gautier being in the employment of agencies looking to spread negativity about an ambitious project.
There were many came out in support of the proposed Mahabharat adaptation; those who were simply interested in what Aamir Khan would do next; the fact he is a responsible actor who can always be relied upon to be a part of something new, interesting, relevant and thought-provoking. For the most sane-minded souls, the religion of the maker/actor is irrelevant.
While many commentators engaged in some predictable Aamir-bashing, others pointed out that the actor has done more for the country than most others; that this would not be a 'Muslim' doing a project; simply a beloved Indian entertainer doing what he does best: tell great stories. One also made a point about the inclusive traditions of the entertainment industry by posting a tweet about this timeless, beautiful song.
All over India, various versions of the Mahabharat, in various languages have been made. This portion of the adaption of the epic in Kathakali form narrates the story of Duryodhana’s death.
B R Chopra's Mahabharat made back in the 1980s remains one of the best known televised versions of the epic. This is the depiction of the Geetopdesh, where Lord Krishna played by Nitish Bhardwaj explains to an agitated Arjun played by Firoz Khan one of the greatest messages ever intoned.
In 1985, French filmmaker produced a 9-hour long stage play telling the story of the Kauravas and the Pandavas. Later he readapted that version as a 6 hour miniseries for TV. While Draupadi was played by the redoubtable danseuse Mallika Sarabhai, the series had a wonderfully diverse cast of people of various colours, religions and ethnicities. I remember watching this version of the epic many years back and also remember what a huge impact in made on me.
Watching an African women play Kunti and a back man play Bheeshma, I was reminded again of why this version is so beautiful and why it made such a big impact. Surely a beautiful story such as this belongs to all of us; not just to those of us who claim to belong to one or the other religion?
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