The epic epidemic!

Suddenly, the saas bahu brigade, closely followed by the big screen, has woken up to our ancient epics. The Ramayana and Mahabharata, which were otherwise relegated to the shelves of libraries, are being dusted and delved into and different ways of turning them into screenplays are being devised.

More than a decade ago, the two epics had understandably become extremely popular when they were turned into TV serials. But that was then. There was only one B R Chopra and one Ramanand Sagar in those days. The likes of Arun Govil (Ram) and Dipika Chikliya (Sita) enjoyed godly status at least for a while (it is another story that the poor actors are still struggling with that image). Nevertheless, exclusivity worked for them. And believe it or not, some even believed that they were gods in their latest avatars.

Coming back to the current scenario, if Ekta Kapoor’s Mahabharata will have Anita Hassanandani playing Draupadi, Raj Kumar Santoshi’s big screen version of Ramayana might have Ajay Devgan (choke) as Ram and Kajol as Sita!

At the rate at which TV serials and films are being based on these epics, we are soon in danger of being trampled upon by Bheems, Rams, Dhritarashtras and Dushyasanas. Perhaps, the Bhishmas and Duryodhanas will be jostling for space with us in the 5.45 pm crowded locals. So, get ready for the world of over-the-top made up faces, reams and reams of dhotis, loads of artificial jewellery and thousands of extras waiting to be trampled upon by underfed elephants and horses!

The big question is that since every one seems to be making an epic film or serial, will my neighbourhood panwallah finally get the big break as Nakul? Or will my bai be the next Ganga?