Rupali Ralhan Shah plans to revive late father-filmmaker OP Ralhan’s dream project ‘Ashoka The Great’

Fate might have cut short OP Ralhan’s dreams, but now his daughter Rupali Ralhan Shah and grandson Armaan Ralhan surely is fulfilling his dream of making Ashoka The Great sometime soon.

It all started when the veteran filmmaker OP Ralhan was working on his dream project Ashoka the Great until he breathed his last on 20th April 1999. This grand, global project had the blessings of the Dalai Lama himself. Over a decade of research and scripting, OP had completely immersed himself to recreate an epic era, featuring one of the greatest emperors of our country.

At a specially named Ashoka House in Cuffe Parade, Mumbai the noted filmmaker for more than a decade ate, lived and breathed the life of Emperor Ashoka, whom he envisaged to bring alive on the big screen. Historians, researchers, designers and many more were part of the team that went on to create this project about the life of Ashoka.

When quizzed about the script, Rupali says, “The script of Ashoka the Great as I mentioned earlier is based on historical facts highlighting the many facets of this great emperor's life. My Dad was always ahead of his times, so the writing is very contemporary. However, we will get on board, a team of noted creative professionals, to steer the creative process in accordance with the norms and needs of the global OTT platform.”

On casting, Rupali shares, “Ever since Ashoka the Great was conceived, the original game plan was to cast a new actor. We will be assigning a top casting director to identify who would be best suited to play Ashoka.”

She also reveals about the director who will helm the film, “You know my dad believed in introducing new talent, giving them an opportunity in acting, directing, scripting, music and in every field of filmmaking. I would love to work with a team of talented, still-not-so-known filmmakers, who would be interested in being part of bringing my Dad's dream alive.”