The
biggest
ever
project
devised
by
Ashutosh
Gowariker,
Buddha,
continues
to
be
on
hold.
The
filmmaker,
who
is
known
for
films
that
are
set
on
a
huge
canvas
while
boasting
of
an
opulent
treatment,
has
decided
that
he
won't
progress
on
the
film
till
he
finds
the
perfect
actor
to
play
the
part
of
Buddha.
"Frankly,
it
is
a
very
difficult
casting
which
I
have
in
hand
here",
says
Ashutosh
Gowariker
who
would
be
attempting
a
film
with
a
religious
base
to
it
for
the
first
time
ever,
"I
have
seen
so
many
actors
worldwide
but
still
haven't
found
the
right
face
to
play
the
part.
It
is
so
difficult
because
this
actor
has
to
be
convincing
as
someone,
who
goes
through
a
complete
turnaround
in
his
life.
I
have
to
go
ahead
in
a
zero-compromise
mode
here."
Another
strong
reason
behind
casting
a
correct
face
and
physical
appearance
is
the
fact
that
Buddha
is
being
pitched
for
an
international
market.
This
means
that
the
actor,
whether
new
or
established,
is
required
to
have
a
pan-universal
appeal.
"While
this
is
truly
a
major
reason,
I
also
feel
that
the
team
of
Buddha
has
a
responsibility
to
take
care
of
for
several
other
nations
as
well",
continues
Gowariker,
"There
are
millions
in
this
world
who
practice
Buddhism;
whether
it
is
Japanese,
Koreans,
Vietnamese
and
others.
When
they
see
our
film,
they
should
be
able
to
relate
to
the
actor
and
say
that
this
is
their
Buddha.
I
should
be
accurate
enough
in
my
presentation
so
that
there
is
a
sense
of
reverence
that
comes
in
for
a
world-known
personality
like
Buddha."
All
of
this
means
that
while
the
search
continues
for
the
right
face
and
personality,
Ashutosh
Gowariker
may
well
move
to
some
other
film
in
the
interim.
His
Khelein
Hum
Jee
Jaan
Se
is
up
for
release
and
post
that,
it
would
be
time
for
Gowariker
to
zero
on
another
subject
and
begin
work
on
it.
"Frankly,
I
haven't
closed
on
anything
as
of
now",
he
brings
on
a
smile
here,
"All
that
is
occupying
my
mind
currently
is
Khelein
Hum
Jee
Jaan
Se.
There
are
just
a
few
more
weeks
to
go
and
we
are
going
full
steam
ahead
in
pumping
up
the
promotion
further
and
bringing
the
film
to
the
audience."
A
period
thriller,
this
Abhishek
Bachchan-Deepika
Padukone
starrer
is
based
on
the
book
'DO
and
DIE:
The
Chittagong
Uprising
1930-34'
by
Manini
Chatterjee.
Also
starring
Sikandar
Kher
and
Vishakha
Singh,
Khelein
Hum...
has
music
by
Sohail
Sen
and
releases
all
over
on
3rd
December.
Story first published: Tuesday, November 16, 2010, 15:56 [IST]