Dr. SL Bhyrappa, a celebrated Kannada Nadu writer, penned the ‘Parva’ (Epoch) novel in 1979, which reached its 19th edition by 2017. This monumental work delves into the Mahabharata, stirring widespread debate. Now, it is being adapted into a three-part cinematic masterpiece by the accomplished director Vivek Agnihotri, known for his exceptional films such as ‘The Tashkent Files,’ ‘The Kashmir Files,’ and the latest ‘The Vaccine War.’
Translating Dr. SL Bhyrappa’s literary masterpiece to the silver screen is no small feat. Prakash Belawadi, who directed the stage adaptation of ‘Parva,’ successfully convinced the prolific author to bring this epic to the cinema. Joining the ‘Parva’ team, Prakash Belawadi is accompanied by the renowned actor Pallavi Joshi, contributing her talents to this multilingual film in Kannada and Hindi.
Speaking to the media at the launch event in Bengaluru’s Chowdaiah Memorial Hall, Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri expressed his deep respect for Dr. Bhyrappa, referring to him as a father figure. The project’s inception traces back to a year ago when Prakash Belawadi urged Agnihotri to reach out to the illustrious writer after watching ‘Kashmiri Files.’ Agnihotri revealed that the project will be presented in three parts, each unraveling untold stories of war, peace, love, death, divinity, and humanity.
Pallavi Joshi, known for her role alongside Lokesh in the Kannada film ‘Bhujangayyana Dashavathara,’ expressed her sense of responsibility upon being granted the rights to create a three-part film based on the novel. She credits Prakash Belawadi for the project’s realization.
Dr. SL Bhyrappa, a distinguished figure in Kannada literature and a Padmabhushan award recipient, expressed confidence in Vivek Agnihotri’s ability to do justice to his work. He eagerly endorsed the film adaptation, hoping that it would not only reach Kannada audiences but also introduce the world to the essence of the Mahabharatha.
The novel’s readers are already acquainted with its compelling characters, and Prakash Belawadi assured that the film would bring these characters to life authentically. He emphasized that ‘Parva’ is a timeless classic, and he wholeheartedly supports Vivek Agnihotri’s vision. Interestingly, they intend to maintain a focus on storytelling rather than relying on a high budget or extensive VFX technology, as disclosed by Prakash Belawadi in response to a question.
