Shilpa Shetty and Keanu Reeves to star in film 'Hanuman'

19 July 2007 - 00:30

Keanu Reeves, Shilpa Shetty and Kevin Costner to Star in Hanuman ?

Uru Patel’s project to make a film about the Hindu epic Ramayana is nothing if not ambitious. Patel apparently wants to make a film abot Hanuman which was the dream of his late brother Raju Patel.

The director is rumoured to be Hollywood director Luis Mendoki. The two main stars will be Keanu Reeves and Shilpa Shetty, who will play Rama and Sita, with Indian actor Aseem Merchant playing Rama’s younger brother Laxman. Presumably a big name Hollywood star was required to ensure Western audiences would go to watch the film.

In addition it is rumoured that Kevin Costner will play the part of the demonic Ravana. The movie will also require the names of the characters to be altered as it is to be a ‘modern’ interpretation of the ancient epic. So that Ravana will become Robert Ravon and Laxman will be named Lucky. All rather bizarre if you ask me, perhaps modern films are easier to make than ancient epics ?

The title role of Hanuman has not yet been cast but it is rumoured that Jackie Chan turned it down (probably a wise decision). There are reports that a young Chinese actor named Cheun Young will play the part, perhaps this is to appeal to the 1 billion Chinese market ? Something for everyone so to speak ! All this is rumour and conjecture at the moment, Uru Patel has not said anything yet.

Keanu Reeves has already played Little Buddha, so can we expect him to do Jesus and Mohammed too ? That would surely be a unique cinematic achievement !



shilpa shetty keanu reeves kevin costner rama sita hanuman ramayana