Filmmaker Ashutosh Gowarikar is currently gearing up for his next period drama 'Panipat'. The film recently went on floors and the filmmaker revealed that the team will be recreating the Shaniwar Wada for the movie. The film will be based on the third battle of Panipat. Peshwa’s historical Shaniwar Wada is of great importance to the story. The Wada will be built in the actual scale and grandeur of the real Shaniwar Wada. Art director Nitin Desai will work with Gowariker for the film and the set will be created at ND Studios. The duo had earlier recreated the Agra Fort in Gowariker’s 'Jodhaa Akbar'. Desai in a statement said he is very excited to work with Ashutosh Gowariker again after 'Jodhaa Akbar'.
Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Kapoor and Kriti Sanon are all set to star in the high-octane period film which is based on the third battle of Panipat. Director Ashutosh Gowariker seems to be back with a bang as he readies for his next film after the mixed response to ‘Mohenjo Daro’ which was unable to deliver at the box-office. The teaser poster of ‘Panipat’ has been released and it sees a hand holding a royal sword ready for action.
About zeroing in Arjun to co-star with Sanjay Dutt for the movie, Mr Gowariker said "What impresses me most about Arjun, apart from his fine performances - is his dynamism. He has played double roles twice, and he has portrayed an action hero as well as a lover boy." The director added that there were no doubts about casting Sanjay Dutt: "I have shared screen space with Sanjay in Naam, which was a memorable co-acting experience and now it will be great to direct such a versatile and immensely talented actor as him."
Gowariker is also pretty "excited" about Kriti Sanon being part of the movie: "I needed someone really beautiful as well as a good performer, and Kriti is both. The eclectic combination of these three is a first for me, and I look forward to this exciting journey with them called Panipat."
The battle of Panipat is one of the most important chapters of our history and he is very glad to be part of the project. He further added that Shaniwar Wada was a stunning place and he is very excited to recreate the magnificent structure. Arjun Kapoor will be playing the role of Maratha leader Sadashivrao Bhau in the film while Sanjay Dutt will play the role of Ahmad Shah Durrani.
Panipat, whose tagline says 'The Great Betrayal', will hit screens on December 6 next year.