Vicky Kaushal is riding high on the success of Uri: The Surgical Strike. His role as Major Vihaan Singh Shergill was one of the most appreciated roles of the year. Directed by debutant Aditya Dhar and produced by Ronnie Screwvala, the film was based on the attacks on the army headquarters in Uri, Kashmir, near the LoC, on September 18, 2016.
Vicky, Aditya and Ronnie are getting back once again for a period-war film that revolves around the mythological character of Ashwatthama. Vicky will play Ashwatthama, in the film. A source close to the film says, “After Uri, the makers wanted to return with something big and interesting. Aditya has been working on this script since a long time, even before Uri released, and when he sounded out Ronnie and Vicky, they immediately jumped on board. The film will be mounted on a big scale and will be shot later this year.”
Who Was Ashwathama?
This is the first time any actor will be playing this role. A film based on Ashwatthama has never been made before. Ashwatthama was the son of guru Dronacharya and Kripi. He was born to the couple as an answer to Drona’s prayers for a son as valiant as Lord Shiva. Ashwatthama was born with a gem in his forehead, which gave him power over all living beings lower than humans and protected him from hunger, thirst, and fatigue.
Image Credit: Youtube.com
Dronacharya was an expert in warfare, but he lived the simple life of a Brahmin, and had little money and no property. Ashvatthama therefore had a difficult childhood, The family was so poor that they could not even afford simple basics like milk. Ashwathama was trained by his father Drona in warfare. He is also considered as an avatar of Shiva.
Ashwatthama also known as Droni, was an expert in warfare, having trained with the best, He fought with the Kauravas against the Pandavas in Mahabharat’s Kurukshetra war. He was also one of the most hated characters in history because he slaughtered most of the Pandava camp in a single night. There is a belief that Ashwatthama is alive even today as he is one of the seven chiranjeevi’s who is to remain alive on earth until the end of the kalyuga.
Vicky whose upcoming films include an untitled horror film, Karan Johar’s Takht and Shoojit Sircar’s Udham Singh biopic, will begin prep closer to the shoot. “Aditya is already neck-deep in research and will go on a recce soon. The film will be shot all over India and the makers are targeting a mid-2020 release,” informed the same source.
Looks like Vicky will have to undergo intensive training to play this character. Will he learn the ancient method of warfare as compared to what he did as an Indian soldier in Uri. Maybe he will also have to learn how to use the bow and arrow.
The film is yet to be titled and the makers have not announced who will be playing the other characters, especially that of Dronacharya.
Who would you like to see play that role?
