MUNI THE BOSS

“We have suggested that the film be made on a grand scale, like that of Richard Attenborough’s Gandhi,”said Goutam Ghose.

“There should be an international collaboration for the project and I have suggested the name of Bernardo Bertolucci for director,” added the maker of Moner Manush.

The committee has suggested that some of the best film directors be invited and asked to speak on the project.

The mission will also produce a documentary on the monk’s life to mark the anniversary.
The mission will also undertake projects for integrated child development, elimination of malnutrition and poverty alleviation to mark the occasion.

“We held a course for doctors in Lucknow on the importance of Swamiji’s messages. Similar sessions will be held for corporate managers and other professionals, as well as parents,” said Swami Subhakarananda, a senior monk of the mission.

For the biopic, a kind of global tender has been floated seeking responses from leading production houses. Two Indian and one international banners are learnt to have expressed interest. Insiders said talks were on with some of the best names in the industry, both from India and abroad.


Milestone: Swami Vivekananda
The Ramakrishna Math and Mission will produce a biopic on Swami Vivekananda to mark the 150th birth anniversary of the monk.

A committee set up to oversee the project is looking for a renowned director and a major production house from across the globe for the film, which the mission authorities want to release before Swamiji’s 150th birthday on January 12, 2013.

Film directors Goutam Ghose and Rituparno Ghosh and Swami Sarvabhutananda, the secretary of the Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, are on the panel.

Mission sources said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who will flag off the three-year-long celebrations of the 150th anniversary in New Delhi on Wednesday, had taken a keen interest in the film.

Singh is also chairman of the National Committee for the Celebration of the 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.

Several programmes will be launched to spread awareness about Swamiji’s teachings.