Director Ashutosh Gowarikar has signed German cinematographer Karl Walter Lindenlaub, the man behind Hollywood projects like 'Independence Day' and 'The Jackal', for his epic 'Buddha'.

Gowarikar signs Hollywood cinematographer for Buddha

Director Ashutosh Gowarikar has signed German cinematographer Karl Walter Lindenlaub, the man behind Hollywood projects like 'Independence Day' and 'The Jackal', for his epic 'Buddha'.

Lindenlaub has also shot Hollywood blockbusters like 'Up Close & Personal', 'The Haunting', 'Black Book' and 'The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian'.

"The past two months of pre-production have been exciting. It has been exhilarating to be working with the DOP Karl Walter Lindenlaub (The Chronicles of Narnia, Independence Day, Stargate). These are movies that I have admired and seen over and over again. So, I feel privileged to be working with him on Buddha," Gowarikar said in a statement.

Film's producer Bhupender Modi hopes that Lindenlaub's involvement will help film's international appeal. "Buddha, is a truly global film and we needed a team that would have a global sensibility and transcend language barriers."

The 46-year-old director, who has already initiated an online hunt for a new face to play the title role in his epic film, will focus on the life of Prince Siddhartha and his journey to enlightenment where he becomes known as Buddha.

Gowarikar has received over 6,000 photos and videos that have been uploaded to the buddha-movie.com website with visitors from over 100 countries.

"I am going through the hundreds of auditions that have come in and I must say, we are getting closer to our Buddha," he said.

The director hopes that good technicians will help him create the 500 B C era accurately on screen. It is Gowarikar's third period film after Oscar-nominated 'Lagaan' (2001) and 'Jodhaa Akbar (2008).

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