Big-budget film 'Buddha' to be complete by 2008

Varanasi, Dec 19 (UNI) Oscar winning script writer David S Ward will pen the script for 'Buddha' -- an ambitious film on the life of Gautam Buddha -- likely to be released in 2008.

''David Ward, Oscar-winning script writer of ''The Sting,'' ''Milagro Beanfield War'' and ''Sleepless in Seattle,'' has signed up to pen ''Buddha,'' the 120-million dollar (Rs 550 crore) project,'' Maha Bodhi Society of India (MBSI) president B K Modi told mediapersons here today.

The English-language film has accquired the right to use the book ''Old Path, White Clouds,'' a comprehensive translation of Buddha's life from a number of ancient sutras by Thich Nhat Hanh, Dr Modi added.

Dr Modi further informed that Micheal Shane of 'Catch Me If You Can' fame will direct the film on behalf of the Beverly Hill based Modi's M Films.

Presently a professor at Chapman University, in Southern California, David teaches screenwriting and directing and acts as a filmmaker in residence for the campus.

''The movie aims at recreating the life of Buddha right from his birth to Parinirvana through the lens eye of celebrated filmmakers.

The movie is likely to be shot in Japan, India, China and Thailand and aims to recreate the world of 2,500 years ago,'' Dr Modi maintained.

He further informed that David Ward was till yesterday in Sarnath here researching the storyline for the ambitious film with Buddhist scholars who converged for the three-day International Buddhists Leaders Council which concluded today.

Dr Modi, however, said that starcast for the film was yet to be decided, but the project will have top-notch Hollywood actors.

UNI ARS NAB SB ND1922