Who Would Play What If The Mahabharata Was Made In Hollywood

Two decades ago, life would stop every Sunday at 9:00 a.m., when Mahabharata aired on DD National. It was the original Game of Thrones, only 10 times more amazing and steeped in great history. Since then, many others have tried to re-create that magic, but haven’t quite got it right. Now imagine if the Mahabharata were to become a major Hollywood motion picture. There are no words that can define this level of awesomeness. They say casting is half the battle for a good movie, so here goes.

1. Shantanu -Sean Bean

The father of Bhishma and the ancestor of the Pandavas and Kauravas.

2. Bhishma -Ian McKellan

Grand uncle to both the Pandavas and the Kauravas. In order to ensure his father’s happiness, he vowed to never ascend to the throne and to remain celibate all his life.

3. Dhritarashtra -Gary Oldman

Born blind, Dritarashtra was the brother of Pandu and the father of the Kauravas .

4. Pandu -James McAvoy

The father of the Pandavas, Pandu was crowned King of Hastinapur instead of his blind brother, Dhritarashtra.

5. Vidur -Hugh Laurie

Half brother of Pandu and Dhritarashtra and arguably one of the wisest characters in the epic, Vidur saved the Pandavas more than once from Shakuni and Duryodhana’s evil schemes.

6. Yudhisthira -Viggo Mortense

The eldest Pandava, Yudhisthira was wise, just and kind: the most noble of all the brothers.

7. Arjun -Orlando Bloom

A gifted archer and warrior, Arjuna was Guru Drona’s favourite. The anecdote about Arjuna and the bird’s eye is still told to kids as a lesson in focus.

8. Bheem -Tom Hardy

The mightiest of the five Pandavas had a fiery temper, but a heart of gold.

9. Nakul and Sahdev -Ryan Gosling (in a double role)

The talented twins, born to Madri, Pandu’s second wife.

10. Draupadi -Marion Cotillard

Draupadi was wife to the five Pandava brothers. Some say that it was her taunting of Duryodhana that triggered the chain of events which led to the war between the Pandavas and the Kauravas.

11. Duryodhana -Mark Strong

Duryodhana was the eldest Kaurava and the epic’s main antagonist. He nurtured a deep rooted hatred for the Pandavas, planted in him by his maternal uncle, Shakuni.

12. Dushasana -Robert Knepper

He was the Kaurava who tried to disrobe Draupadi. He later paid for that with his life when Bheem tore open his chest and drank his blood. Not a good way to go.

13. Guru Dronacharya -Liam Neeson

Guru Dronacharya was a teacher and mentor to both the Pandavas and Kauravas. Despite knowing they were wrong, he served as the General of the Kaurava forces in the war.

14. Shakuni -Christoph Walt

The Kauravas’ maternal uncle and schemer extraordinaire. Much of the blame for the war rests on him and his quest for revenge.

15. Sri Krishna -Johnny Depp

Sri Krishna was the mortal incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He became Arjuna’s charioteer in the war and revealed the Bhagvad Gita on the battlefield.

16. Karna -Brad Pitt

Known as “Danveer” Karna, he was a gifted warrior and was righteous and generous to a fault. He is considered by many to be the greatest warrior in the Mahabharata.