<keyword id="20528925" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Amish-Tripathi" source="keywords">Amish Tripathi</keyword>, the celebrated author behind the best-selling <keyword id="22444346" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Shiva-trilogy" source="keywords">Shiva Trilogy</keyword> and Ram Chandra series, has made headlines once again for his recent acquisition in Mumbai’s elite <keyword id="22444347" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Upper-Worli-district" source="keywords">Upper Worli district</keyword>. The author, known for his retelling of Indian myths, has invested a staggering Rs 13.65 crore in a luxurious apartment located within the prestigious <keyword id="22444348" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="World-One-project" source="keywords">World One project</keyword> by the <keyword id="20178245" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Lodha-Group" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Lodha Group" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Lodha Group">Lodha Group</keyword>. Situated in one of Mumbai's most coveted locales, Tripathi's new abode spans approximately 251 square metres of sheer opulence. Boasting interiors designed by the renowned <keyword id="22444349" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Armani/Casa" source="keywords">Armani/Casa</keyword>, the residence offers a blend of sophistication and comfort. Further, Lodha’s World One project, renowned for its exclusivity and panoramic views of the Arabian Sea, boasts some of the tallest residential buildings in India. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111582880" title="How did Delhi-NCR and Mumbai housing prices surge by nearly 50% in five years?" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Nestled in the heart of <keyword id="20161525" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="South-Mumbai" source="keywords">South Mumbai</keyword>, Worli boasts a vibrant mix of cultural attractions and recreational avenues. Some notable destinations include the picturesque <keyword id="22444350" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Worli-Sea-Face" source="keywords">Worli Sea Face</keyword>, a favourite among joggers and evening strollers, to the iconic Bandra-Worli Sea Link, which connects the island city to its northern suburbs. Moreover, the area's upscale dining establishments, boutique shops, and cultural venues ensure that residents are never far from the pulse of Mumbai's dynamic lifestyle. Worli in South Mumbai has long also been a magnet for celebrities and prominent personalities seeking luxury and convenience. Known for its stunning sea views and proximity to Mumbai's business districts, Worli counts several Bollywood stars, industrialists, and sports icons among its residents. Notable personalities that reside here include Shahid Kapoor, Rohit Sharma, Yuvraj Singh, <keyword id="6354486" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="virat-kohli" source="Orion">Virat Kohli</keyword>, Anushka Sharma, Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia D'Souza. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111663953" title="Is the cost of rent finally going down in Bengaluru&amp;#39;s IT corridors like Koramangala and Whitefield?" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Even with 7 million books sold worldwide, Tripathi continues to expand his creative horizons. In collaboration with Immortal Studios, Wakaoo Films, and Casa Media, the author has ventured into film production, aiming to bring his novel Legend of Suheldev: The King Who Saved India to life on screen. His latest documentary, Ram Janmabhoomi: Return of a Splendid Sun, delves into the historical and cultural facets of Ram Janmabhoomi and the life of Lord Ram.

Shiva trilogy author Amish Tripathi buys Mumbai apartment worth Rs 13.65 crores in one of India’s tallest towers

<ul><li><ul><li>Cultural diplomat and author <keyword id="182794" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Amish-Tripathi" source="Orion">Amish Tripathi</keyword>’s new book <keyword id="14079627" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="War-of-Lanka" source="Orion">War of Lanka</keyword> sold six and a half million copies within two weeks of launch. </li><li>War of Lanka also saw India’s first Metaverse launch for a book, where an augmented reality filter was uploaded on Instagram for users. </li><li>India has become wealthier post 1991 and the emergence of ‘real’ India is inspiring films based on myths, says Tripathi. </li></ul> </li></ul>From the time he left his banking job to become a full-time writer in 2011, Amish Tripathi has attempted to give Indian deities human-like attributes through his take on myths. In his books, deities get angry, make human mistakes and even poke fun at each other. Director Shekhar Kapur, who is making a web series on Tripathi’s <keyword id="810431" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Shiva-Trilogy" source="Orion">Shiva trilogy</keyword>, called him ‘India’s literary popstar’. Tripathi’s first trilogy on deity Shiva became the fastest-selling book series in Indian publishing history. His most recent book ‘War of Lanka’ has already sold six and a half million copies and is currently under reprint. What makes his books popular is not just the content but also his marketing hooks. He roped in marketing agency Think WhyNot to launch an augmented reality filter on Instagram for the ‘War of Lanka’. Custom merchandise or making the first music album in Indian publishing history for ‘The Oath of the Vayuputras’ – the third book in his Shiva Trilogy – are some other marketing examples. The author of seven books encapsulating the stories of Ram, Raavan, Sita and Shiva, Tripathi talks to Business Insider India about topics ranging from the importance of myths to the impact of the pandemic on the publishing industry. Currently serving as a cultural diplomat as head of the Nehru Center in London, Tripathi also shares his take on the real India. <keyword id="14491960" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="UK-Prime-Minister-Rishi-Sunak" source="Orion">UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak</keyword> invited you to 10 Downing Street, how was the experience? Oh, it was very nice. It was a small get-together in 10 Downing Street, a celebration of Diwali. He had got people from the local Swami Chinmaya Mission to read a prayer. We did a proper lighting of the lamp with traditional rituals. It was also very nice to see so many native White British and other communities in attendance, celebrating a Hindu/Jain/Sikh festival with warmth and happiness. It's been almost a month since War of Lanka has been released. How has the response been? I will be honest. Prior to the launch of the book, I was a little nervous, quite nervous, actually, for various reasons. One, it was a completely new publisher and a new relationship. Secondly, Harper just had a few months post the contract signing to get the book out in the market. To bring the book out in just three-four months is difficult… I thought they did a very good job. Third was the pandemic, which had hit the publishing industry badly, and many bookstores and publishing houses had shut down. Since the distribution itself was shrinking, sales would be difficult. Lastly, since I also have a diplomatic job in the UK, I did not have that much time for the book tour. Normally, my book tour would spread out over three-four months, but now I only had three-four weeks; and I had to cover 14 cities across India in that time. But despite these constraints, War of Lanka is breaking records. It is selling even faster than Raavan: Enemy of Aryavarta. And all my previous book sales have also shot up. I can’t thank my readers enough for their consistent love and support. I am curious to know why you haven't written about Hanuman, a Shiva incarnation, especially after having dedicated separate books to Ram, Ravan and Sita? I might take that up actually. Lord Hanuman is a very fascinating character and represents loyalty, having a code and staying true to it, no matter what. That's what makes him worth respecting and worshiping. There is a separate spin-off story in mind that I have for Lord Hanuman. And one I hope to take up after some time. There will also be a story on Guru Vashishta and Guru Vishwamitra and how their relationship turned from friendship to enmity. People say youngsters don’t read as different forms of medium are competing for attention. Why do you think your book has struck a chord with the readers? Is it because of your standout marketing techniques as with a metaverse launch of the book? The metaverse campaign was very innovative, yes. And I am very grateful to Sangram Surve and his Think WhyNot agency for putting this together in association with Meta. Also, I think this assumption that the youth don't read is, frankly, a judgmental approach. The idea that today’s youth have low IQ, low attention spans, and only want to entertain themselves with flaky things is just plain silly. One person can have different tastes. I like thought-provoking movies like Schindler’s List or Inception, but I also like the suspension-of-brains movies of Salman Khan. The youth are like that as well. By the way, a vast majority of my readers are young. Second when it comes to marketing, social media has made word of mouth very powerful. The opinion of critics matters little now as compared to a decade ago. There are movies that are very well marketed that have been super flops. And a movie that had almost minimal marketing spends, like Kantara, was a massive hit. At the heart of it all, it has to be a good product, be it a movie or a book. If it's not a good product, no matter how much marketing you do, it's not going to work. If there is no depth in the movie or the book, if there's nothing to talk about, then word-of-mouth will be poor. A cult book has to be thought-provoking and initiate conversations. I myself tried the AR filters on Instagram and I came out to be on Raavan’s army. It would interest you to know that while many modern Indians think Raavan is Tamilian or Lankan, this may not necessarily match up to ancient texts. When you study ancient texts or folk traditions, it is revealed Raavan was born close to Delhi, a little ahead of Noida. One of the oldest temples of Raavan is situated there. He was not the original ruler of Lanka. The original ruler was Kubaer. Raavan deposed Kubaer and took over Lanka. Will you be venturing into writing about any other epic like Mahabharat? I do have various ideas. Let's see where life takes me. There is a fifth book that will join the Shiva Trilogy and the Ramachandra series called the <keyword id="15501176" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rise-of-Meluha" source="Orion">Rise of Meluha</keyword>. But that will be released many years later. Is there a reason why Sita was portrayed as aggressive and militant in your book Sita-Warrior of Mithila? Was this because it has been written from a male perspective? There is a difference between being militant and being strong. Goddess Durga is not militant but she is strong. The image of Goddess Sita in the minds of modern urban Indians is largely inspired from a 1980s television series. In the original Valmiki Ramayana, Sita is portrayed in a much stronger form. And in the Adbhut Ramayan, also credited to Valmiki ji, Sita Maa is the one who kills the elder, more powerful Raavan. In ancient times, Indian women were seen as powerful with their own agency. We had women who ruled large empires like Rani Prabhavatigupta and Rani Rudramadevi. We had women Rishis (roughly the equivalent of Abrahamic prophets and messiahs). We even had women who founded universities. Frankly, our ancestors would be disappointed at how badly we, in modern India, treat women. We have been hearing about the Shiva trilogy for quite some time now. Is it expected soon? These are early days as we just started work on it. So let's see how it comes out. But we'll make announcements in the future. Coming to Indian cinema, there has been a shift in the portrayal of stories. Films are being inspired by myths like in Adipurush, Thank God, Ram Sethu, Ponniyan Selvan. Why do you think there is such a shift? Post 1991 India has become wealthier and the emergence of the real India is inspiring the demand for such stories. There is a real India that was always there, just that they didn't have money to form a big market. That is the India outside of the elite areas of our big cities. This is an India that is very deeply rooted in our ancient traditions and culture. And now, there are many citizens from the real India who have now risen because of economic growth over the last 30 years. A recent IMF report had said over 450 million Indians have been pulled out of poverty just in the last 10 years. And economic growth is creating a new consumer class. Smaller budget movies are making more money than big Hindi film movies because I think in many ways, Telugu, Kannada and Tamil movies are more rooted in the real India. This is something perhaps the Hindi film industry will pick up overtime. A Hindi film producer told me an interesting analysis. He felt that perhaps the Hindi film industry had become too elitist – he used the term ‘focused on Pali Hill, and South Mumbai and also perhaps, London &amp; New York’. He said that we should forget that there is a real India outside of Pali Hill and South Mumbai. And that is the main market for Indian movies. What does real India mean to you? Perhaps those who are more comfortable in Mangalore or Varanasi than in London, I think that's the real India. So, someone like you or me… My family’s roots are in Kashi and I was born in Mumbai; so I know English, Hindi, and some Marathi. But I can go to a Lord Shiva temple in Thrissur, Kerala. And I’ve been there actually, four-five years ago. I don’t understand Malayalam, but my books, by God's grace, do well in Malayalam. There were many out there who recognized me because many of them had read my books. But we couldn’t communicate well with each other because most of them there didn’t know English or Hindi, and I didn’t know Malayalam. And yet, when we started chanting and praying to Lord Shiva, we felt connected. I felt at home. That to me is the real India. Where we feel at home. Now, we may also get along with Western people, but essentially, where is home for us? For me, the real India is home. You began your journey as a writer in 2010. How has the scene of Indian publishing and marketing changed since then? This is the best and worst of times. Earlier the definition of bestseller was selling 5,000 to 10,000 books. Today a bestseller should sell at least 40,000 to 50,000 copies. There are some authors whose books sell in the hundreds of thousands. And few, such as Chetan and me, who are lucky enough for our books to sell in the millions. But on the negative side, GST has really hit the industry. I have myself appealed often to the government if they could give some relief on this, because we are a very tiny industry. Books have a positive impact culturally but in terms of revenue, we are very small. Second, piracy is hurting us a great deal. Many bookstores are suffering hard times as well because rental costs have shot up and piracy has hit them. Books in terms of price to space ratio are not as high as compared to jewelry or mobile phones, so high rental costs often make bookstore unviable. How do you think mythology is relevant in today's society? Indians often confuse myth with mithya or untruth. The Indian word for it would be Itihas or Kavya or Purana. The English word myth comes from the Greek word mythos, which means a story hiding a philosophical truth. I try to explore philosophies that I think are worth learning. Rather than making it a pedantic nonfiction philosophy textbook, if you try and bring it across through a story, you might have a greater chance of having an impact. There are various philosophies from our ancients that are worth learning. There is a line which I love, Ati Sarvatra Varjayet i.e. extremism of any kind should be avoided. But if you see the western approach, it is almost like extremism should be followed, always. For example, in the West, fighting for women’s rights gets translated into hatred for men. How's that good for society? I try to explore many of these philosophies through my books. What are the choices that we make? You will find that cultures which celebrate myths tend to be much more wise and liberal, intuitively liberal. You have celebrated devotees of both Vishnu and Shiva in your books. How do you strike a balance between the two? This so-called competition between Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu is relatively modern. The Indian way is we are comfortable with multiple truths and we realise that the source is unity. One of the thousand names of Lord Vishnu listed in Vishnu Shahasranaam, which is chanted by many Vaishnavas (devotees of Lord Vishnu) regularly, is Shiva. On the other hand, many Shaivites (devotees of Lord Shiva) know the 1008 names of Lord Shiva that are listed in many of the found in the Shaivite puranas. And one of the names listed for Lord Shiva is Vishnu. So they are One and the Same. This competition is more between unwise devotees and should be avoided.

Raavan was born in Delhi, a little ahead of Noida: Amish Tripathi

It's a nostalgic journey, a reunion with an old friend, and a validation of the hours spent immersed in movie marathons or comic books. The familiar quirks, iconic lines, and signature actions of our beloved characters evoke a sense of comfort and excitement. Cinematic universes—a phenomenon that has already taken Hollywood by storm—is the latest trend built on this sense of loyalty among fans. And it is gaining momentum across the world, including India. In a <keyword id="20747860" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Cinematic-Universe" source="keywords">cinematic universe</keyword>, multiple storylines and narratives share the same world and the films connect through recurring characters and common themes. This approach has opened new doors for storytelling in <keyword id="20060213" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Cinema" source="keywords">Indian cinema</keyword>, allowing for richer narratives and deeper character exploration. Indian cinema has a long history of diverse storytelling, and is now embracing this new trend that resonate with audiences across generations. But are Indian filmmakers fully harnessing the potential of cinematic universes? Let’s find out. <h2>What’s a cinematic universe?</h2>A cinematic universe allows for expansive storytelling, where characters can evolve across multiple films, and plotlines can interweave to create a grand narrative arc. There’s no better example that the <keyword id="19985514" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Marvel-Cinematic-Universe" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Marvel Cinematic Universe" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Marvel Cinematic Universe">Marvel Cinematic Universe</keyword> (<keyword id="20189664" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="MCU" source="keywords">MCU</keyword>), where each major hero got their own or co-starred movies, before all the Avengers reuniting in Avengers: Endgame (2019). The build-up to this 2019 blockbuster was hugely successful, with the earliest storyline of Iron Man dating back to 2008. It was followed by the 23 movies including the Thor trilogy, Guardians of the Galaxy, Captain America films, Black Panther, Spider-man, Doctor Strange etc. The anticipation built over years of interconnected films repeatedly drew audiences back to theatres, creating a loyal fan base and a secure investment for filmmakers. The MCU, despite the recent setbacks, continues to be one of the most successful film series. Avengers has the best average world-wide gross out of all MCU film series, with an average of nearly $1.9 billion per film. Hence, the appeal of cinematic universes lies in their ability to build complex worlds that draw audiences back time and again, creating a sense of anticipation for how stories will unfold and interconnect. It brings a sense of security to the investments of the makers, which is built from scratch for stand-alone films. <h2>Cinematic Universes of India</h2><div type="image" title="Rohit Shetty&amp;#39;s Cop Universe" agency="Business Insider India" msid="112529301" hostid="261" sizebytes="166204"></div>The earliest Indian film that is now a part of a cinematic universe was Rohit Shetty’s Singham (2011). This Ajay Devgn film was a remake of a 2010 Tamil film of the same name, with Suriya reprising the eponymous character. A more coherent (albeit unplanned) cinematic universe starter was the 2012 film, Ek Tha Tiger. Neither of these two films was planned to be developed into a universe per se but were incorporated into their respective universes with Simmba (2019) and Pathaan (2023). <div type="image" title="YRF Spy Universe" agency="Business Insider India" msid="112529258" hostid="261" sizebytes="194140"></div> The latest entrants on the block are <keyword id="14242250" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Lokesh-Cinematic-Universe" source="Orion">Lokesh Cinematic Universe</keyword> (LCU) and Maddock’s Supernatural Universe. The Lokesh Cinematic Universe started with Kaithi (2019) and established itself with Vikram (2022). Lokesh Kanagaraj, the creator of this universe and the director of these highly successful ventures, plans to release a short film 'Pillayar Suzhi' as an introduction to the cinematic universe for the audience. <div type="image" title="Lokesh Cinematic Universe" agency="Business Insider India" msid="112529201" hostid="261" sizebytes="111722" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Lokesh Cinematic Universe&amp;lt;span class=&amp;quot;redactor-invisible-space&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Maddock’s supernatural universe, alongside LCU, provides a clearer picture of their plans ahead. All of the films in this shared universe are inspired by popular folk-legends. While Stree took inspiration from Naale Baa of Karnataka, where people would write the phrase on walls to prevent the entry of a malevolent spirit into their homes. Bhediya was inspired by Arunachal Pradesh's legend of a shape-shifting werewolf (Yapum), who wants to protect the jungle, even if he or she has to kill somebody. Munjya, which surprised the trade pundits and audiences alike, focuses on the Konkani legend of munjya. In mythology and folklore, there are multiple stories about the origin of munjya, but the film uses the one where a small kid dies within 10 days of his upanayana samskara, and turns into a munjya. <div type="image" title="Maddock Supernatural Universe" agency="Business Insider India" msid="112529182" hostid="261" sizebytes="173806" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Maddock Supernatural Universe&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>The fourth instalment in this series, <keyword id="6847240" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Stree-2" source="Orion">Stree 2</keyword> is set to release this week, starring Rajkummar Rao, <keyword id="89958" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Shraddha-Kapoor" source="Orion">Shraddha Kapoor</keyword>, Rajkumar Aparshakti Khurana and Abhishek Banerjee. Varun Dhawan will also make a cameo appearance reprising his role of Bhaskar from Bhediya. <h2>Can Indian Cinema sustain this trend?</h2>Unlike the MCU which is based on existing comic books, the majority of these Indian projects and characters have no reference point and hence, concepts have to be established from scratch. Moreover, it is possible that the audiences may not readily embrace new and unfamiliar characters. Another significant hurdle is the high cost associated with these ventures. A good chunk of their budgets goes into VFX and the subsequent creation of intellectual properties or IPs. When news around Brahmastra’s humongous budget of 410 crores was doing the rounds, Ranbir Kapoor was quick to clarify that it was allocated for the entire trilogy, and not just for Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva. Cinematic Universes in India face an additional barrier of independent distributors, where the trajectory of a franchise is lopsidedly dependent on the success of the studio’s latest offerings. For instance, there were reports of Tiger Vs Pathaan being shelved, following the lukewarm reception of Tiger 3. <h2>Can Indian cinema witness a commercially successful cinematic universe?</h2>Cinematic universes can flourish in India as they have in Hollywood, only if they are treated as long-term investments to be made over multiple movies and decades. It is regrettable that a nation with such a rich literary and cultural history barely has any good films rooted in its culture. There is immense potential for stories rooted in regional Indian folklore and literature, and it continues to remain underutilised. However, it is important to note that Maddock’s Supernatural Universe is a promising start towards bringing to the audience stories that are grounded in our country’s culture. However, the movies in this universe have been a roller coaster journey for the audience in terms of quality. As Stree 2 prepares for release, there is hope that it will continue to build on this success and pave the way for more culturally grounded cinematic universes in India. While the concept of cinematic universes is still relatively new in Indian cinema, it holds great promise. If nurtured with patience and passion, these universes could become great assets for the industry, offering audiences compelling narratives, and the studios substantial returns.

Beyond Stree 2: Exploring the potential of Indian Cinematic Universes

After 'Brahasmtra Part 1: Shiva' had a successful run at the box-office, its filmmaker <keyword id="66166" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="ayan-mukerji" source="Orion">Ayan Mukerji</keyword> has now announced the timeline for '<keyword id="1501412" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="brahmastra" source="Orion">Brahmastra</keyword> Part 2: Dev' and 'Brahmastra Part 3', which is scheduled to release in 2026 and 2027 respectively.' Ayan took to Instagram, where he made the announcement along with a post he penned. He wrote: "The Time has come - for some updates on the Brahmastra Trilogy, the Astraverse, and my Life! After absorbing all the love and the feedback on Part One... I have been focused on creating the Vision for Part Two and Part Three - which I now know will be bigger and more ambitious than Part One! have learnt that we need a little more time to perfect the script of BrahmAstra Two and Three!" He shared the second and third installment will be made together. "And...have decided that we are going to make the two films... Together! Allowing them to also release closer together! I have a timeline in place to achieve this, which I am sharing with you all today!" He had another "piece of news to share..." Without divulging much, he said: "The Universe has presented me with a very special opportunity recently - a very special movie - to step into and direct! What the movie is... More on that when the time is right. An opportunity that challenges me and terribly excites me... one where I will learn, be inspired and where I will grow! So, I have decided to take it up!! Opening myself up to all the positive energies in this universe so I can do my best and contribute to that one thing that matters most to me - Indian Cinema!" Produced by Star Studios Dharma Productions, Prime Focus, and Ayan Mukerji, the first part of Brahmastra shattered box office records and captured the hearts of audiences worldwide.

Ayan Mukerji announces Brahmastra sequel timelines, part 2 in 2026, part 3 in 2027

Just on the outskirts of the old city limits of the megapolis of Kolkata stands the semi-urban hamlet of Boral, where a young art director with the advertisement agency D J Keymer shot his classic debut film '<keyword id="106892" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="pather-panchali" source="Orion">Pather Panchali</keyword>' (Song of the Road), some 70 years ago, to metamorphose into the celebrated movie maestro Satyajit <keyword id="6561" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="ray" source="Orion">Ray</keyword>. Ray or Manick-da as his close associates called him, whose 102nd birthday is being celebrated Tuesday with aplomb across the globe, chose the village as it "was only four miles from the city limits and this meant that we could make daily trips" as also because with his shoe-string budget to shoot the movie, he could hardly afford on-location shoots in faraway rural idles. "He used to come to this field between our house and the ancient twin Shiva temple and stand for hours under a tree staring and chewing a handkerchief. "My father asked him what was he really doing. Ray told him that this was his way of composing shots in his head," said <keyword id="5748880" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="tushar-kanti-ghosh" source="Orion">Tushar Kanti Ghosh</keyword>, 80, a scion of the <keyword id="701424" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="zamindar" source="Orion">Zamindar</keyword> family which used to own most of the land in this village turned part of the city at one time, adding with a wrinkled grin: "He told dad he wasted around a dozen handkerchiefs a day thinking about shots!" Ghosh met Ray at age eight, and played a small part as a student at the village school in 'Pather Panchali', shot over from 1952 to 1955. "He (Ray) asked my father if he could borrow some young boys for the movie ... I had two small parts in the film and naturally at that age I was thrilled," chuckled the octogenarian, who along with other fellow villagers never realised that their non-descript village would be thrust into international fame once the movie was released and showcased at Cannes as India's official entry. Opposite the pond where Ray had shot some of his scenes for 'Pather Panchali' lives Abhishek Paul, 31, a young artist who said he heard stories of the film's shooting from his grandmother. "The entire village was agog with excitement through the period the movie was shot ... today we feel a kind of pride that he chose our 'para' (locality)," said Paul. A small bust of Satyajit Ray stands at the turn of the road from the house he had rented for the shooting. Locals have garlanded it and put-up festoons to celebrate the renowned filmmaker's birth anniversary Tuesday. Satyajit Ray cast mostly amateur actors in his movie for which he raised money by pawning his wife's jewellery and taking a subsidy sanctioned by the then chief minister of West Bengal Late Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy, a fellow Brahmo Samaji. New York's Museum of Modern Art too chipped in with some support after noted American film director John Huston saw some of Ray's unfinished raw reels and declared it as the work of a "great filmmaker". "His first movie marked him out as being born into a different league ... 'Pather Panchali' was a far more realistic and yet stunningly beautiful presentation of rural India's life than we had ever seen before ... it touched the heart, not just the other senses," said <keyword id="466542" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="shoma-a-chatterji" source="Orion">Shoma A Chatterji</keyword>, veteran film critic and author of books on Satyajit Ray. No script was ever written for the movie as Ray believed the novel written by noted Bengali writer Bibhuti Bhushan Bandyopadhyay was far too lucidly written to require a script. Instead, "Satyajit Ray drew a storyboard for the entire movie - picturising every scene that he shot with the dialogues scribbled on the margins in a strong, neat hand ... this was typically Ray, a very meticulous director who planned every single shot long before executing it," explained Chatterji. The music for the movie was composed by the famous sitarist Ravi Shankar and was considered an epochal score by the film fraternity, but Chatterji said the two geniuses had their intellectual differences and "in later films, Ray started composing his own music". After initial hesitation, the movie which depicts a family's struggle to live in their rural ancestral village as the hero - a child named Apu - grows up, did surprisingly well with both the critics and in the box office. Times of India in a piece in 1956 said: "It is banal to compare it with any other Indian picture...Pather Panchali is pure cinema. There is no trace of theatre in it." In Cannes, his debut film was nominated for the Palme d'Or for the best film and won the Prix du document humain (best human document). Part of Ray's 'Apu Trilogy, Boral's debut on the big screen remains one of the most influential movies that the world has seen. Twenty years after it was released, another film maestro Akira Kurosawa said the movie continues "to stir up deep passions." However, the village itself no longer stirs any great artistic passions. The forest patches and farmland have been gobbled up by an ever-hungry city as the megapolis's realtors built middle-class 'dream' high-rises. The fields of 'Kash' flowers or kans grass which at one time ran parallel to the single line railway track where 'Pather Panchali's' main characters - Apu and Durga - ran around, have been replaced by more railway tracks and ugly warehouses while the plaintive whistle of the steam engine has given way to brash honking by diesel locomotives. "But some things still remain the same ... everyone still loves a good story and someday another Ray will discover another Boral to produce yet another compelling movie," said Ghosh. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/7-out-of-10-indians-are-unable-to-identify-ai-voice-call-scams-and-half-fall-for-scams-with-monetary-losses/articleshow/99924644.cms">7 out of 10 Indians are unable to identify AI voice call scams, and half fall for scams with monetary losses</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/several-twitter-users-logged-out-from-desktop-accounts-globally/articleshow/99925101.cms">Several Twitter users logged out from desktop accounts globally</a>

The urban hamlet where Satyajit Ray met 'Pather Panchali'

Reading is a great habit, and reading books that interest you is one the best ways to spend your time productively. If you’re someone who’s just out exploring the genre of mythology, you’re on the right path. Mythological stories not only keep you involved and intrigued throughout, but also impart wisdom and knowledge. These gripping novels are usually on the top selling list so decide quicker from this list and get yourself a copy right away. <bulletContentEmbed name="8193305205" columns="1"><bulletContentHeading name="8193305205_head"><columnHead col="1"><columnHeadThumb> <div type="image" title="Must read" msid="78785121" hostid="261"></div></columnHeadThumb><columnHeadTitle>8193305205</columnHeadTitle></columnHead></bulletContentHeading><bulleteContentBody name="8193305205_body"><bulletContentRow name="8193305205_1653588978320948"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1">Immortal Talks</bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">Fantastic and magnificent, Immortal Talks by Shunya is a beautiful story of immortality, destiny and souls. It revolves around two monks who live in a forest in a tribal area in search of their higher beings and connect with the unknown. This is an enticing book and will keep you engaged completely.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow><bulletContentRow name="8193305205_0618763769415682"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1"></bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">A perfect blend of past, present and future.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow></bulleteContentBody></bulletContentEmbed> <bulletContentEmbed name="9380658745" columns="1"><bulletContentHeading name="9380658745_head"><columnHead col="1"><columnHeadThumb> <div type="image" title="Popular Choice" msid="78785158" hostid="261"></div></columnHeadThumb><columnHeadTitle>9380658745</columnHeadTitle></columnHead></bulletContentHeading><bulleteContentBody name="9380658745_body"><bulletContentRow name="9380658745_9230038341046371"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1">The Immortals of Meluha (Shiva Trilogy): 1</bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">Shiva trilogy is truly one of the best books to look at when considering this genre of mythology. A grasping and jaw dropping transformation of a mythic world, this book is full of surprises and consternations. It is a wonderfully written book with a simple but intriguing language. It has a good narrative and a very interesting storyline which doesn’t let the reader keep it down even for a second.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow><bulletContentRow name="9380658745_5458747249657006"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1"></bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">Surprising and interesting narration of mythological tales of India.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow></bulleteContentBody></bulletContentEmbed> <bulletContentEmbed name="0143442341" columns="1"><bulletContentHeading name="0143442341_head"><columnHead col="1"><columnHeadThumb> <div type="image" title="Editor’s pick" msid="78785221" hostid="261"></div></columnHeadThumb><columnHeadTitle>0143442341</columnHeadTitle></columnHead></bulletContentHeading><bulleteContentBody name="0143442341_body"><bulletContentRow name="0143442341_1385763626841212"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1">The Daughter from a Wishing Tree: Unusual Tales about Women in Mythology</bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">Sudha Murthy has always been known for her beautiful and inspiring works. She has an enormous contribution to Indian as well as international literature. This book is just as creative and worth reading. It puts a light on women and their pivotal role in mythology. It is an empowering journey through the pages of the past, which hold the presence of many influential and powerful ladies who took the world by turn.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow><bulletContentRow name="0143442341_9108185284441464"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1"></bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">It is a highly empowering book with astounding language.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow></bulleteContentBody></bulletContentEmbed> <bulletContentEmbed name="9388754085" columns="1"><bulletContentHeading name="9388754085_head"><columnHead col="1"><columnHeadThumb> <div type="image" title="Most liked" msid="78786066" hostid="261"></div></columnHeadThumb><columnHeadTitle>9388754085</columnHeadTitle></columnHead></bulletContentHeading><bulleteContentBody name="9388754085_body"><bulletContentRow name="9388754085_0233084314058922"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1">Raavan: Enemy of Aryavarta (Ram Chandra Series - Book 3)</bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">One of the most controversial figures in Hindu Mythology is Raavana. This book by Amish Tripathi would push you to rethink and imagine, and develop an insight into the life of Ravana. This book is a fictional work that gives you a glimpse of Ravana’s mind in a most intriguing and enthralling way.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow><bulletContentRow name="9388754085_1577535987135026"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1"></bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">It is a highly grasping book and has a superior language.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow></bulleteContentBody></bulletContentEmbed> <bulletContentEmbed name="9386224046" columns="1"><bulletContentHeading name="9386224046_head"><columnHead col="1"><columnHeadThumb> <div type="image" title="Must Have" msid="78786103" hostid="261"></div></columnHeadThumb><columnHeadTitle>9386224046</columnHeadTitle></columnHead></bulletContentHeading><bulleteContentBody name="9386224046_body"><bulletContentRow name="9386224046_5629269384093470"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1">7 Secrets of Shiva</bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">This book by the author with a different outlook, Devdutta Pattnaik, revolves around “the destroyer of the world”. It is a mystical blend of art and history portrayed through simple and engaging words and an elegant language. It explains various conflicts, symbolisms and rituals in Hindu religion.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow><bulletContentRow name="9386224046_7423206566748079"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1"></bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">It also puts light on many other practices related to Lord Shiva in Hindu religion.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow></bulleteContentBody></bulletContentEmbed> <bulletContentEmbed name="9351950123" columns="1"><bulletContentHeading name="9351950123_head"><columnHead col="1"><columnHeadThumb> <div type="image" title="Must Buy" msid="78785326" hostid="261"></div></columnHeadThumb><columnHeadTitle>9351950123</columnHeadTitle></columnHead></bulletContentHeading><bulleteContentBody name="9351950123_body"><bulletContentRow name="9351950123_2751812222189148"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1">The Gita: For Children</bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">Bhagwat Gita is one of the most sacred texts of Indian origin. It is considered as a source of entire knowledge, and is believed to have all the answers of past, present and future. Usually children do not get into reading this vast and complex reading. Roopa Pai came up with a beautifully written solution that attracts kids towards this, Gita for children. It has an easy language which kids can easily grasp and understand.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow><bulletContentRow name="9351950123_7217794365435339"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1"></bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">It is full of beautiful pictures to keep children engaged.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow></bulleteContentBody></bulletContentEmbed>

You Searched For "Shiva trilogy" and got 6 results

Shiva trilogy author Amish Tripathi buys Mumbai apartment worth Rs 13.65 crores in one of India’s tallest towers

BI India Bureau

Raavan was born in Delhi, a little ahead of Noida: Amish Tripathi

Eetika Kapoor

Beyond Stree 2: Exploring the potential of Indian Cinematic Universes

Prerna Tyagi

Ayan Mukerji announces Brahmastra sequel timelines, part 2 in 2026, part 3 in 2027

IANS

The urban hamlet where Satyajit Ray met 'Pather Panchali'

PTI

Mythology books for kids and beginners

BI India Bureau