Disney+ Hotstar announces Rs 300 crore big budget series based on 'Mahabharata'

CALIFORNIA: Films and web series based on mythological stories are gaining popularity recently. In the long list of movies and series based on mythology like Troy, Narnia, Game of Thrones and Vikings, the names of Indian movies or series are not usually heard. Although this situation has changed after Baahubali, Indian audiences have not had the chance to enjoy mythological epics like Mahabharata and Ramayana in a contemporary manner.

Now Disney+ Hotstar has made an announcement about a big budget series based on the Mahabharata story. The series is for the Indian as well as the global audience. Such an announcement was made at the D23 Fan Expo in California, USA. Indian fans have flooded their social media accounts with concept posters of the series.

The Mahabharata teleserial produced by BR Chopra for Doordarshan in 1988 and serials produced by other local channels are still providing visual feasts to the audience on the Mahabharata story. Also another film based on 'Randamoozham' book scripted by MT Vasudevan Nair, starring Mohanlal, was abandoned midway after the announcement. That's why Indian fans are commenting on social media that such a project should have happened long ago.

Disney is producing the series, along with Indian producers Madhu Mantena, Mythoverse Studios and Allu Entertainments. 'There are over a billion people who know the story in some form, or the other. Most of them in my country have heard them as children from their grandparents, there are billions more who remain unaware of what they have been missing. It would indeed be a privilege to be able to bring this incredible story to a wider global audience next year.', said Disney+ Hotstar Content Head Gaurav Banerjee. The series with a budget of over Rs 300 crores, will start streaming from next year.