Rukmini Maitra To Lead Ram Kamal Mukherjee’s ‘Draupadi,’ a Feminist Adaptation of ‘Mahabharata’ (EXCLUSIVE)

After teaming on Bengali-language film Binodiini Ekti Natir Upakhyan (Binodiini Tale of a Theater Artist), director Ram Kamal Mukherjee and actor Rukmini Maitra are collaborating again on Draupadi.

An adaptation of ancient Indian epic Mahabharata from its strongest woman character Draupadis point of view, Draupadi is based on Pratibha Rays 1984 Odiya-language novel Yajnaseni: The Story of Draupadi.

Ray said: When director Ram Kamal approached me for the film rights of Yajnaseni through my publisher Rupa Publications, I was delighted that even today Indian filmmakers are interested in the story of Mahabharata. My book, Yajnaseni, is about Mahabharata from Draupadis point of view with contemporary relevance. Yajnaseni is an epitome of patience, penance and power. Its a creative collaboration, and Ram Kamal being an author himself, will definitely do justice to Yajnaseni and her story. I feel we are at the right time to revisit our epics and tell the new generation about our culture and heritage.

Maitra added: Its pleasure to reunite with Ram Kamal after Binodiini because he makes me feel comfortable in characters that are extremely challenging to portray on screen. Its an honor to be a part of Mahabharata, a subject that is so close to every Indian. Needless to say this will definitely be one of the most challenging role in my career after Binodiini.'

The big-budget Bengali-language project also sees the return of Binodiini producers, Bengali film industry star and producer Dev Adhikari via his Dev Entertainment Ventures and Prateek Chakravorty for Pramod Films.

Adhikari said: After watching Ram Kamals work in Binodiini, I realized that he has an amazing sense of aesthetics and visual presentation skill. When he shared his dream of making Draupadi, I felt that he would certainly do justice to the scale and subject. I have also witnessed the range of Rukmini as a performer in Binodiini, and I knew why Ram Kamal wanted to cast her as Draupadi. As a producer uniqueness of his narrative attracted me. Its going to be a mind-blowing experience for all.

Chakraborty added: Mahabharata is one of the most epic tales ever told. The characters, their journey, their redemptions are life lessons. An attempt to recreate this grandiose saga is both intriguing, exciting and nerve wracking.

Mukherjee is working alongside Paawaan Aagarwal who is the co-researcher and screenplay writer for the film.

Mukherjee said: I am thankful to my producers Dev and Prateek for standing by my vision once again, this time on a much larger scale. I am grateful to Pratibha Ray for giving us the official filming rights of her bestseller novel Yajnaseni. And finally, I am overwhelmed to reunite with my most favorite Rukmini as Draupadi. I dont remember when was the last time Bengali cinema produced a mythological film. Hats off to Dev and Prateek for taking that leap of faith with me and Rukmini.

Binodiini is currently in post. Draupadi is heading into four months of pre-production and workshops.