The Mahabharata is a 1989 film version of the Hindu epic, Mahabharata directed by Peter Brook. Brooks original 1985 stage play washours long, and toured around the world for four years. In 1989, it was reduced to underhours for television TV mini series. Later it was also reduced to abouthours for theatrical and DVD release. The screenplay was the result of eight years work by Peter Brook, JeanClaude Carrire and MarieHlne Estienne. For the casting an international selection of actors was intentionally chosen, to show that the nature of the Indian epic is the story of all humanity.
The productions use of an international cast caused heated intercultural debate. Negative criticism came from Indian scholar Pradip Bhattacharya who felt that Brooks interpretation was not a portrayal of a titanic clash between the forces of good and evil, which is the stuff of the epic... but the story of the warring progeny of some rustic landlord.In 1990, the film won the award for Performing Arts of the International Emmy Awards and the Audience Award for Best Feature at the So Paulo International Film Festival. ........
Source: Wikipedia