Amitabh to play a genie in Sujoy Ghosh's mega-fantasy

If "Jhankaar Beats" director Sujoy Ghosh had his way, they would have cast Amitabh Bachchan in a realistic train drama called "Borivali" years ago.

Amitabh Bachchan

"That didn't work out. But I'll make 'Borivali' only with Amitabh," Ghosh told IANS from his home in Darlington in northeast England. 


"But now my dream is coming true. I am directing Amitabh in a film to be produced by the Sippys (Ramesh and Rohan Sippy)."


Tentatively entitled "Alladin & The Mystery Of The Lamp", the film has Amitabh Bachchan playing a genie. It is expected to take kid's cinema from India to an international level. 


"I'm making a kid's fantasy - an Arabian nights kind of spectacle with the best feasible special effects and the most advanced method of storytelling," said Ghosh.


It looks like "Krrish", followed by "Dhoom 2" have brought in the magic of high-octane FX in to Bollywood. Ghosh's film will have some of the most eye-catching spectacles ever seen in Indian cinema.


"Amitabh is very clear about the fact that if he is doing a kid's film the production value has to be on par with international standards. The confidence comes from getting to work with the world's best star-actor. You have to admit that working with AB is a dream come true, a long-cherished fantasy. That is why I am making a fantasy film with him."


"In fact, I am right now scouting for international talent to do the special-effects. I have my wish list of technicians and I hope to get all of them. We'll arrive at an approximate budget only after the special effects are in place. But it is bound to be large. 


This won't be Amitabh's first fantasy film. They did Shashi Kapoor's "Ajooba" plenty of years ago. But it would definitely be his first kid's film and very definitely the only time he'll get to play a genie.