Watch out Aamir Khan, Wild Wild Country makers hint at rival Osho biopic, offer casting suggestions

At a reception held for Wild Wild Country, directors Chapman and Maclain Way and producer Mark Duplass hinted at a possible feature film adaptation of Netflix’s breakout documentary series. The six episode series was released in March and quickly became a popular talking point.

“There have been some people interested in the feature and we’re like, ‘Awesome — go do your thing,’” Maclain told Variety at the event, which was hosted by the brothers’ uncle, actor Kurt Russell. Russell recalled that he lived in Oregon around the time the ‘Rajneeshees’ set up their town there. “I happened to be in Portland when a lot of this was going on so when they started talking about it, I was like, ‘Oh, yeah—the Bhagwan! He was around,’” Russell said.

The brothers spent four years making the series, and three of them trying to convince the show’s breakout character, Ma Anand Sheela, to appear on camera. They’re ready to hand over the reins to other filmmakers. Sheela was sentenced to two years in prison for her role in the mass poisoning of an entire town ahead of important elections. Osho later distanced himself from her actions, and Sheela went into exile in Switzerland.

Duplass, who co-produced the series with his brother Jay, even offered casting advice. “Keegan-Michael Key as Bhagwan,” he said. “He’s actually a very serious person and a great dramatic actor when given the chance.”

As for Sheela, “Mindy Kaling. Everybody sees Mindy as sweet, but she’s a f***ing killer. I know it because I’ve been on set with her. It would be fun for people to see that.”

It has long been rumoured that for his Thugs of Hindostan follow up, actor Aamir Khan will be playing the controversial guru in a biopic. His representatives have made no official announcements, however.

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