After years of hinting at his interest in adapting the Mahabharata for the screen, Aamir Khan has officially confirmed that the monumental project is finally in motion. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, the actor-filmmaker announced that work on the much-anticipated adaptation will begin this year. “It is one of my biggest ambitions,” Aamir said, noting that the writing phase alone is expected to take several years.

While he hasn’t confirmed whether he will act in the series, Aamir emphasized that his primary focus for now is producing the project. He also stated that casting decisions will be made based on who is “most appropriate” for each role.

Given the vast scope of the Mahabharata, Aamir said the project might need multiple directors. He is considering a production model similar to The Lord of the Rings, where several units work simultaneously to speed up filming. “It’s too early to say, but we might need multiple directors. If we have to plan it in a certain timeline… because if you do one after another, it will take very long. Like they did in Lord of the Rings. So something like that — in that case, you will need more than one director,” he explained.

Rumors about Aamir’s Mahabharata venture first surfaced in 2018, with reports citing a massive budget exceeding ₹1,000 crore. While he didn’t disclose financial specifics this time, Aamir’s deep connection to the project was evident. He even turned down another major film to devote himself entirely to this epic undertaking, reports the Indian Express.

During the promotional run for Laal Singh Chaddha in 2022, Aamir had expressed his concerns about doing justice to the story. “When you are making a film on Mahabharata, you are not just making a film. You are performing a yagya. It is not just a film, it is much more. And, that is why I am not ready for it yet. I am scared of bringing it out. Mahabharata will never let you down, but you may let down Mahabharata,” he told Galatta Plus.

In the meantime, Aamir is preparing to return to the screen in Sitaare Zameen Par, a spiritual follow-up to Taare Zameen Par, which is slated for a summer 2025 release. He recently described his role in the film as “rude and politically incorrect,” hinting at a departure from his earlier characters.