Ajay Devgn took to social media the other day to announce his next ambitious project with director Neeraj Pandey. He will essay the role of ancient Indian scholar, teacher, and advisor, Chanakya in the said film. Following this announcement, movie buffs were quick to assume that the project would be a biopic on the 4th century BC economist and strategist. However, now a leading daily has learnt that the film would be a modern-day adaptation of the teachings of the scholar who helped Chandragupta Maurya establish his Mauryan Empire.
Ajay’s announcement gave rise to a lot of speculations as to how the role of Chanakya will be brought to life on screen. Many recalled the popular TV show Chanakya that was made by Dr. Chandraprakash Dwivedi and people felt that Ajay might portray the scholar on screen in a period film depicting the times of Chanakya. However, the report suggested that Neeraj is attempting something different with the film which will not be a period drama as made by Dr. Chandraprakash Dwivedi.
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The daily revealed that the film will be a socio-political drama set in the current times with the protagonist depicted as an able administrator and strategist like Chanakya. The film will have a narrative inspired by Chanakya’s teachings and philosophies, and Neeraj is attempting to showcase a story with this.
Ajay had previously worked in Prakash Jha’s Raajneeti, which was a contemporary retelling of Mahabharata. His role was modelled on the character of Karna. Raajneeti was a hit and had some big names like Nana Patekar, Manoj Bajpayee, Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif and Arjun Rampal starring in it besides Devgn. Reportedly, Ajay will start shooting for his Chanakya film before year-end and it is expected to release mid-next year.
Chanakya is a big name from ancient India. He is also known as Kautilya or Vishnugupta and is considered the pioneer of political science and economics in India. He is credited to have written the ancient Indian political treatise, Arthashashtra.
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