Shahid Kapoor's mythological film Ashwatthama: The Saga Continues faces hurdles; film put on hold as budget shoots over Rs 500 crore

Shahid Kapoor had already begun physical training for the film, which was set to blend mythological themes with a contemporary narrative.

Shahid Kapoor's highly anticipated mythological film, Ashwatthama: The Saga Continues, has encountered significant setbacks. The film, which aimed to narrate the epic tale of the legendary warrior Ashwatthama, has been put on hold due to budget constraints and logistical challenges.

Shahid was set to portray the titular role in this ambitious project. Initially announced in March, the film generated considerable buzz for its scale and the promise of a grand cinematic experience. Directed by Kannada filmmaker Sachin B Ravi, Ashwatthama was envisioned as one of the most significant Indian productions of Amazon Prime Video.

The film was being produced by Vashu Bhagnani’s Pooja Entertainment in collaboration with Amazon Studios, with a reported budget exceeding Rs 500 crore. Mid-day quoted a source from the production team, “The project’s scale was enormous. The idea was to create something that could rival international fantasy-action films. Ashwatthama was supposed to be shot across multiple countries. But as we began working out the logistics and coordinating shoots across international locations, it became clear that staying within budget would be a serious challenge. Pooja Entertainment’s debt became another big factor.”

The ambition to shoot across multiple international locations presented substantial logistical and financial challenges. The production team faced difficulties in managing the complex logistics, leading to escalating costs that made it impossible to keep the project within the initial budget. An insider highlighted, “Given the current state of the market, studios are being cautious about green-lighting mega-budget films. A project like *Ashwatthama* comes with a lot of risk.”

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Shahid Kapoor had already begun physical training for the film, which was set to blend mythological themes with a contemporary narrative. The storyline was inspired by the legendary warrior Ashwatthama from the Mahabharata but set in the present day.

Despite the setback with Ashwatthama, Shahid Kapoor continues to stay busy with other projects. He was last seen in Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya, alongside Kriti Sanon and Dimple Kapadia. His next venture, Deva, directed by Rosshan Andrrews and co-starring Pooja Hegde and Kubbra Sait, is eagerly awaited. Initially scheduled for an October release, the film will now hit theaters on February 14 next year.

Deva follows the journey of a brilliant yet rebellious police officer who investigates a high-profile case, uncovering a web of deceit and betrayal.