Desi cast for Game of Thrones

The fourth season of Game Of Thrones has already created ripples in its third week. It has broken all previous records of highest viewership with massive numbers. GOT also has the distinction of being the most downloaded TV show in the world, which means it is basically the most watched TV show on this planet. I have always found similarities between our own Mahabharata and George RR Martin's epic saga. A thought recently crossed my mind, what if Game Of Thrones was to be remade in India. What would be the perfect cast for it? Any guesses...

Amitabh Bachchan as Tywin Lannister
Tywin is the head of House Of Lannister and currently the hand of king to his grandson Joffrey. He is conniving, intelligent & most ruthless among all the heads of families vying for the throne. No other actor has the magnetism that Amitabh Bachchan has, and who better than him to play the role of the man who owns almost everything there is to own. Imagine Bachchan's baritone, mouthing the iconic dialogue – 'The Lannisters send their regards'.

Sunjay Dutt as Eddard 'Ned' Stark
Ned Stark is the head of House Stark. He is good looking, virtuous, strong & among the fiercest warriors there can ever be. This would be the best vehicle to bring back Dutt's much talked-about long hair back, and not only women, but a lot of men would also gush at the prospect of seeing Dutt wielding that sword and going into action. Stark is a loyal friend, father & would go to any lengths to keep his family safe. Who else but Baba to play this role?

Vidyut Jamwal as Jaime Lannister
The Kingslayer is my favorite character. Jaime is good-looking, strong and has an immense flair for swordplay. He is largely a grey character and is positive when he wants to be. Vidyut has the body, the looks and the smoldering screen presence to be able to exude evil, and still make you fall in in love with him. Oh and that body. Vidyut looks like a guy who can take on 20 guys and beat them to pulp, in style.

Rajkumar Rao as Jon Snow
Jon Snow, like Rao started off as a rather low profile actor. Who would have thought during the first season, that the avenging of his family's murder would be hinging on this character? Recently awarded with the National Award, Rajkumar has proved himself to be an actor par excellence; he has the vulnerability to play Jon Snow, and the acting chutzpah, also he is following the exact same path of rising through the ranks like Snow is on the show. Art imitating life, or life imitating art?

Tabu as Cersei Lannister
Remember Tabu in Maqbool? The character she reprised in that movie brilliantly is so similar to Cersei in GOT. Tabu has the physicality, the chutzpah and the middle aged sexiness to pull off Cersei, who is intelligent, conniving and probably the game changer in getting her son Joffrey to the throne. If you ask me, I think they even look similar.

Kamal Hassan as Tyrion Lannister
Hassan has played a dwarf before, in the hugely successful Appu Raja. The imp is famous for using sarcasm and wit to defend his physical shortcomings. He is probably also among the most loved characters on the show. Hassan is a great actor. He would be perfect to play the youngest child of Tywin Lannister, who faces prejudice and is falsely implicated in some wrongdoing or the other. It's Kamal Hassan. He will manage to look younger than the actors playing his older siblings!

Anil Kapoor as Petyr Baelish
Baelish is popularly known as Littlefinger, and along with Lord Varys, makes up for about the half the manipulation that exists in the universe of the show. I love how his character still pines for the unrequited love of Lady Stark. Anil Kapoor, is no stranger to playing character's that pine for unrequited love, remember him in Lamhe? And in Virasat and Nayak, he played characters that not only deserve authority, but command it as well, with his trademark moustache in tow; he would be perfect to reprise the role of Baelish, the fact that they're the same age only helps further our cause.

Paresh Rawal as Lord Varys
Varys is probably the most skilled manipulator on the show. In an era where knowledge is power, there is nothing he doesn't know. Thereby making him among the most powerful people, who operate from the sidelines? He is the true insider. Remember Paresh Rawal as the "maandvaali baadshah" in Vaastav? Rawal, can be mean, vulnerable and display understated power all in the same scene in a way very few actors can. Also, in Rawal's case – bald is beautiful & with his sense of comedy he would perfectly compliment the fiendish humor that Varys displays time and again.

Aditi Rao Hydari as Daenerys Targaryen
The Khaleesi, is a delicate balance of toughness and vulnerability. Aditi Rao Hydari, possesses a charm that vintage beauties are made of, coupled with spunky acting prowess. Aditi can be made to look angelic; as well can emit a smoldering sensuality, with that wild flowy hair and a petite frame.

Naseeruddin Shah as Stannis Baratheon
The toughest characters to play are the ones that seem the simplest. Stannis Baratheon is one such role. Naseeruddin Shah is unarguably among the greatest actors we have been gifted with. Imagine him playing Stannis Baratheon who has had the most character arcs on the show. Even in a forgettable film like Rajkumar, Naseer played an evil king to the hilt. Who better than him to play a character, that has gone from rightful heir, to vanquished in battle to being fully brainwashed and under the spell of a manipulative sorcerer?

Chitrangda Singh as Melisandre
A priestess with a body and overpowering sex appeal that has the power to seduce countless men in a jiffy. There's a noir aura she exudes and is shrouded in mystique, with this raw ruffian sensuality. Chitrangda will be able to exude that much drama and allure effortlessly.

Kushal Tandon as Robb Stark
Robb Stark is rebellious, yet strong willed & most definitely best suited to rule the North, after his father was brutally executed. He is the perfect balance of virtue, power, cunning & good looks. Kushal has all of the above, with a twist, his brattish persona – which only makes him lend more naturally to this character.

Amit Sadh as Theon Greyjoy
Theon is among the most intense characters on the show. Despite his bad choices, and immature outings that lead to violence, and his own downfalls, there is a certain boy next-door likeability to him, exactly like Amit Sadh does. His natural intensity and good looks fit right in for him to be cast as Theon Greyjoy.

Pratyusha Banerjee as Arya Stark
Arya is young and vulnerable, but if the opening episode of Season 4 is any indication of things to come, she is going to be a primary character as the times roll. Pratyusha fits the physicality of the character perfectly, and if you looked at her outbursts on the last season of Bigg Boss, you know she can be a bad ass when she chooses to be.

Kunal Kapoor as Ramsay Snow
Ramsay, known as the Bastard of the Bolton, is the illegitimate child of Roose Bolton & also his only living heir. Kunal Kapoor with his curled tresses, and shaped beard exudes the mean and edgy streak that is required for this character, also helps that he is extremely good looking.

Jackie Shroff as Ser Davos Seaworth
Ser Davos is generally what they would call a 'cool guy'. He is a former smuggler and also a knight. If one were to model Jackie's hairstyle, get him to grow a beard and make him wear the costume of Ser Davos, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference between the actor who plays the original and Jackie. This character is a pirate smuggler and a knight, who else but Jackie Shroff even comes to mind?

Mohit Raina as Daario Naharis
Raina is a household name; thanks to his massive popularity due to the smash hit show Devon Ke Dev…Mahadev. Naharis is a sell sword for hire. He is also a lover boy, who dares to win the heart of The Khaleesi, by continuously pursuing her romantically. Raina fits the part to the T. He is one of the few actors who can look like an assassin, and a romantic hero in the same frame.

Diana Penty as Margaery Tyrell
Penty is gorgeous & has the picture perfect princess appeal, and can easily essay this role. Also, the headstrong Margaery has a game plan beneath that tender exterior, that is still to be the revealed, perfectly adding to the unpredictability of the character. Remember Diana in Cocktail, and how she pulled off a tender small town girl at the start, who goes on to dance on beaches wearing mini skirts?

Nikitin Dheer as Khal Drogo
Dheer probably has the most overpowering physique in all of tinsel town. Picture Nikitin with beard, long hair and bare chested – that image could evoke fear even in the strongest of men. That is exactly how we can define, Drogo, who still haunts us even though he was killed three seasons ago.

Saqib Saleem as King Joffrey
I am expecting this one to come as a shocker. But think about it. On the face of it Joffrey doesn't look sinister at all. Saqib like Joffrey is a good-looking chocolate-faced boy, what if he decides to expose that underlying mean streak in him (that only traditional good boys can possess) by playing a negative character? Don't see anyone else suiting the part.