Bhopal: Prayer for Rain
Encyclopedia
Bhopal: Prayer for Rain is an upcoming historical-drama film
set amidst the real-life Bhopal disaster
that had occurred in India on December 2-3, 1984. Martin Sheen
, Mischa Barton
, Kal Penn
, Tannishtha Chatterjee
and Rajpal Yadav
have been cast in the lead roles. The director, Ravi Kumar
described it as "a dramatisation, inspired by real events". It was slated for a late 2010 release.
industrial disaster in Bhopal, Ginder India
, also known as Bhopal gas tragedy. This was the biggest industrial disaster in human history that killed around 2,500 people in roughly two weeks starting the night of 3 December 1984. At least 25,000 people are estimated to have died in the years after the disaster. A government affidavit in 2006 stated the leak caused 558,125 injuries including 38,478 temporary partial and ~3900 severely and permanently disabling injuries.
was previously attached to the project, but has since dropped out and according to reports, her role has been given to Mischa Barton
. In December it was confirmed that Barton, Sheen and Kal Penn
are currently filming in India for the project. On 7 January 2009, Barton was questioned by the Indian media on why she chose to sign on the project; "I'm interested in all kinds of things, I did this film for moral reasons. Also, I felt the story needed to be told, I feel that this is going to be an important film." It has been confirmed that Barton is playing the role of a foreign journalist in the film. Filming locations have included the city of Hyderabad, the Charminar
area and Golconda Fort.
The film is now in post-production with a view to a 2012 release.
Drama film
A drama film is a film genre that depends mostly on in-depth development of realistic characters dealing with emotional themes. Dramatic themes such as alcoholism, drug addiction, infidelity, moral dilemmas, racial prejudice, religious intolerance, poverty, class divisions, violence against women...
set amidst the real-life Bhopal disaster
Bhopal disaster
The Bhopal disaster also known as Bhopal Gas Tragedy was a gas leak incident in India, considered one of the world's worst industrial catastrophes. It occurred on the night of December 2–3, 1984 at the Union Carbide India Limited pesticide plant in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India...
that had occurred in India on December 2-3, 1984. Martin Sheen
Martin Sheen
Ramón Gerardo Antonio Estévez , better known by his stage name Martin Sheen, is an American film actor best known for his performances in the films Badlands and Apocalypse Now , and in the television series The West Wing from 1999 to 2006.He is considered one of the best actors never to be...
, Mischa Barton
Mischa Barton
Mischa Anne Marsden Barton is a British-American fashion model, film, television, and stage actress, best known for her role as Marissa Cooper in the American television series The O.C..-Early life:...
, Kal Penn
Kal Penn
Kalpen Suresh Modi , best known by his stage name Kal Penn, is an American film and television actor, producer, and civil servant....
, Tannishtha Chatterjee
Tannishtha Chatterjee
Tannishtha Chatterjee is an Indian actress.She is best known in the west for her performance in the British film Brick Lane , the film adaptation of Monica Ali's best selling novel of the same name. She was nominated for the British Independent Film Awards as the best actress for Brick Lane...
and Rajpal Yadav
Rajpal Yadav
Rajpal Yadav is an Indian film actor, known for his comedy oriented roles.-Early life and education:Rajpal Yadav was born and brought up in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, where he received his education.He did his college from Sardar Patel Hindu Inter College, Shahjahanpur.He played in Shahjahanpur...
have been cast in the lead roles. The director, Ravi Kumar
Ravi Kumar
Ravi Kumar or Ravikumar may refer to:* K. S. Ravikumar , Indian film director and actor* P. H. Ravikumar , Managing Director and the Chief Executive Officer of the National Commodity and Derivates Exchange Limited...
described it as "a dramatisation, inspired by real events". It was slated for a late 2010 release.
Plot
The film follows multiple characters' lives and dilemmas in the months leading to the 1984 Union CarbideUnion Carbide
Union Carbide Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company. It currently employs more than 2,400 people. Union Carbide primarily produces chemicals and polymers that undergo one or more further conversions by customers before reaching consumers. Some are high-volume...
industrial disaster in Bhopal, Ginder India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, also known as Bhopal gas tragedy. This was the biggest industrial disaster in human history that killed around 2,500 people in roughly two weeks starting the night of 3 December 1984. At least 25,000 people are estimated to have died in the years after the disaster. A government affidavit in 2006 stated the leak caused 558,125 injuries including 38,478 temporary partial and ~3900 severely and permanently disabling injuries.
Cast
- Martin SheenMartin SheenRamón Gerardo Antonio Estévez , better known by his stage name Martin Sheen, is an American film actor best known for his performances in the films Badlands and Apocalypse Now , and in the television series The West Wing from 1999 to 2006.He is considered one of the best actors never to be...
as Warren Anderson, the chief executive of Union CarbideUnion CarbideUnion Carbide Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company. It currently employs more than 2,400 people. Union Carbide primarily produces chemicals and polymers that undergo one or more further conversions by customers before reaching consumers. Some are high-volume... - Mischa BartonMischa BartonMischa Anne Marsden Barton is a British-American fashion model, film, television, and stage actress, best known for her role as Marissa Cooper in the American television series The O.C..-Early life:...
as Eva Gascon, a Paris MatchParis MatchParis Match is a French weekly magazine. It covers major national and international news along with celebrity lifestyle features. It was founded in 1949 by the industrialist Jean Prouvost....
reporter - Rajpal YadavRajpal YadavRajpal Yadav is an Indian film actor, known for his comedy oriented roles.-Early life and education:Rajpal Yadav was born and brought up in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, where he received his education.He did his college from Sardar Patel Hindu Inter College, Shahjahanpur.He played in Shahjahanpur...
as Dilip, the factory worker - Tannishtha ChatterjeeTannishtha ChatterjeeTannishtha Chatterjee is an Indian actress.She is best known in the west for her performance in the British film Brick Lane , the film adaptation of Monica Ali's best selling novel of the same name. She was nominated for the British Independent Film Awards as the best actress for Brick Lane...
as Leela, Dilip's wife
Casting and production
Sienna MillerSienna Miller
Sienna Rose Diana Miller is a British-American actress, model, and fashion designer, best known for her roles in Layer Cake, Alfie, Factory Girl, The Edge of Love and G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra. In 2007, the London Film Criticsnamed her British Actress of the Year for Interview...
was previously attached to the project, but has since dropped out and according to reports, her role has been given to Mischa Barton
Mischa Barton
Mischa Anne Marsden Barton is a British-American fashion model, film, television, and stage actress, best known for her role as Marissa Cooper in the American television series The O.C..-Early life:...
. In December it was confirmed that Barton, Sheen and Kal Penn
Kal Penn
Kalpen Suresh Modi , best known by his stage name Kal Penn, is an American film and television actor, producer, and civil servant....
are currently filming in India for the project. On 7 January 2009, Barton was questioned by the Indian media on why she chose to sign on the project; "I'm interested in all kinds of things, I did this film for moral reasons. Also, I felt the story needed to be told, I feel that this is going to be an important film." It has been confirmed that Barton is playing the role of a foreign journalist in the film. Filming locations have included the city of Hyderabad, the Charminar
Charminar
Charminar built in 1591 AD, is a landmark monument located in Hyderabad, India. The two words Char Minar of Urdu language are combined to which it is known as Charminar . These are four ornate minarets attached and supported by four grand arches, it has become the global icon of Hyderabad and is...
area and Golconda Fort.
The film is now in post-production with a view to a 2012 release.