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As Vivek Agnihotri Announces Parva, A Look At Films That Took Inspiration From Mahabharata
In this edition, we shall examine how Bollywood has used the rich canvas of Mahabharat to blend traditional stories with innovative storytelling techniques for modern audiences. Key films including 'Rajneeti', 'Dharm', and 'Thugs of Hindostan' serve as primary examples of this synthesis, narrating timeless tales of ambition, power, and conflict with contemporary relevance.
Parva Announcement: Indian mythology, particularly Mahabharat — the epic saga of valor, betrayal, and divine intervention — has always been a source of inspiration for Bollywood, India's prolific film industry. Several filmmakers over the years have explored this rich tapestry of tales, blending them with contemporary narratives to create cinematic masterpieces. This article explores some of the most notable Bollywood films influenced by Mahabharat as Vivek Agnihotri announces his next titled Parva.
Rajneeti: A Tale of Power and Politics
A primary example of Bollywood being influenced by Mahabharat is Prakash Jha’s 'Rajneeti’ (2010). This political drama was an intriguing translation of Mahabharat's power dynamics into the contemporary political landscape of India. Every character in the film reflects an individual from the epic, illustrating the timeless nature of the Mahabharat's themes of ambition, power, and conflict.
Dharm: A Reinvention of the Pandava Mother
'Dharm’ (2007) is a heartrending and thought-provoking movie that reimagines the character of Kunti from the Mahabharat. In this particular vision of the epic, Kunti's predicament of having to abandon her firstborn is rebuilt around a Hindu priest's wife in Varanasi who has to make a similar, devastating choice.
Thugs of Hindostan: Historical Drama with Mythological overtones
'Thugs of Hindostan' (2018) is an action-adventure film that while not ostensibly based on the Mahabharat, features undertones of the epic. Evoking echoes of the conflict between the Pandavas and the Kauravas, the film presents its own story of valiance, treachery, allegiance, and ambition set against the backdrop of British colonial rule in India.
The magic of the Mahabharat resides not just in its epic sweep but in its universality, its relevance across time and space. Bollywood, with its unique ability to retell and reimagine stories, has beautifully adapted elements from this epic, presenting them in a new light. These movies are testament to the enduring influence of the Mahabharat, brilliantly reinvented for a contemporary audience. As long as there are stories to tell, our beloved Bollywood will continue to draw from the deep well of Indian mythology.
