Bollywood superstar John Abraham is set to take on the iconic role of Duryodhana in an upcoming modern-day adaptation of the Mahabharata, helmed by Arun Gopalan, best known for directing Tehran. According to a report by Pinkvilla, the project reimagines the epic tale in a contemporary setting.
A source close to the development revealed, “John Abraham has been discussing a film set against the backdrop of the Mahabharata, but in the modern era. Director Arun Gopalan has developed a script that presents the epic in a fresh, present-day context. John is reportedly impressed by the screenplay and the ambitious vision Arun has for this adaptation.”
The film is tentatively titled Duryodhana and is expected to go on floors by mid-2026. Pre-production is slated to begin early next year. The project will be produced by John Abraham in collaboration with Sandeep Leyzell.
While this is one of the most high-concept projects on John’s radar, the actor is also reviewing several other scripts and has a few in development under his home banner. “John is focusing on high-concept action films and is committed to bringing unique cinematic experiences to the audience. More details on his slate of upcoming films will be announced in due course,” the source added.
If confirmed, this role could mark one of the most intriguing transformations of a mythological character for the big screen in recent times.
