Screen adaptation of VS Rao’s novel Navagraha Purana wins hearts at New Hope Film Fest

It is rare for a movie script based on a Telugu novel to get nominated for top jury awards at international film fests. So connoisseurs of Telugu literature would be thrilled to know that Legends of Destiny, the film
adaptation of

Vakkantham Suryanarayana Rao

’s epic novel,

Navagraha Purana

, was shortlisted for Best Narrative Feature and Best Fantasy Script at the recently concluded New Hope Film Festival held in Bucks County, USA. That’s not all, two studios have apparently expressed interest to make a full scale film based on the screenplay. “It is not an inexpensive film and involves extensive computer graphics filled with flying chariots and special effects. We also have created a preliminary sound track that includes mantras of the various grahas (planets),” says

Pamela Perry

, who wrote the screenplay along with VS Rao.

A first of its kind epic that tells the story of the Navagrahas
A 500-page-tome, Navagraha Purana comprises nine stories dedicated to the nine planets and a multitude of sub-stories of other purana purushas (epic heroes) such as King Harischandra, King Dasaratha, Srirama, Trisanku, Anjaneya and others. The story begins with a disciple questioning his master about the validity of planetary effects on mankind. The master narrates the legend of prince

Hiranya

, who is cursed to live in a forest for eternity, for
insulting one of the Navagrahas. He sets off on a supernatural journey into a multi-dimensional reality to meet the living incarnates of the Navagrahas to redeem himself.


Rao’s work initially appeared in a serialised form in a Telugu magazine, before being published as a book, which went on to be translated into Hindi, Telugu, Bhojpuri and English (as Legends of Destiny). “The idea of writing the book germinated in the 90s when I was asked to write songs praising Navagrahas — who are worshipped across the country by people seeking to ward off their unfavourable influence and obtain their favour. Almost all our temples have shrines dedicated to the Navagrahas. Yet there was not a single text that told the story of these planetary gods,” says VS Rao, adding, “I researched for nine years rummaging through 18 puranas — Mahabharatam, Bhagavatam, Ramayanam, Devibhagavatam etc., — to put the book together.”

A legend with universal appeal
Although the story is rooted in Hindu mythology, it is not dogmatic, its principles are based on science as opposed to ‘religion’, reckons Pamela. “It is a magical story, filled with wisdom that is entertaining and relevant in the global market today. There is plenty of action, and characters like flying elephants etc., provide a world of enchantment that has universal appeal. Legends are age-old tenets of humankind, providing guidance and wisdom that empower people. I had a producer from a major production company tell me he thought it was one of the best scripts he has ever read,” she says.
The biggest challenge was condensing the novel into a movie script. “Pamela Perry did a fabulous job of acquainting herself with the divinity and etiquette of the Navagrahas. Without compromising, we both exchanged our views and executed the work with single minded concentration. Also, I have to thank writer

Umarji Anuradha

who played a remarkable role as a go between. With all humility, I can say we have come up with a script that resonates with the global audience,” says VS Rao, signing off.