A few weeks back at an event The Print's Off The Cuff, Deepika Padukone was asked if she would get a chance to star in a book adaptation on the big screen, the actor had said Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, which is Mahabharatha from Draupadi's point of view. Deepika stated, "I will say Palace of Illusions, now I have marked my territory, nobody else can do it. It's the female perspective of mythology. I don't think we have been allowed to see it in any other perspective. We have always been fed from a particular perspective. I think this is the right time to do that."
Well, seems like that was the biggest hint given by Deepika for her forthcoming project. The actor, after Chhapaak and '83, will be producing and starring in a film where she will play the role of Draupadi and will be co-produced by Madhu Mantena. Sharing her excitement, Deepika told Mumbai Mirror, "I’m thrilled and honoured to be essaying the role of Draupadi. I truly believe that it is the role of a lifetime."
While Madhu stated, "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."
Deepika concluded by saying, "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."
The film is set to be a franchise and the first instalment is likely to release in Diwali 2021.
