In a relentless pursuit of pioneering Indian cinema, renowned writer KV Vijayendra Prasad, known for his epic screenplays like “Baahubali” and “RRR,” is delving into the annals of Indian history for his next venture. After scripting the tales of fierce battles and mythical heroes, Prasad is charting the life of Maharana Pratap, the 16th-century Rajput warrior of Mewar, in his upcoming film project.
Imperious yet unyielding, Prasad’s Maharana Pratap is a figure of intrigue and valor. The narrative is poised to unfold across two time frames, offering a blend of historical fiction and contemporary drama. The past sequences seek to embroil viewers in the events leading up to the iconic 1576 Battle of Haldighati, while the present-day storyline will turn to the tale of Pratap’s descendant on a quest to reclaim familial honor.
Prasad is all set to add his unique spin on the revered king’s reign. As he vividly narrates, “Maharana Pratap retreated to the Aravalli mountains to hatch his war strategies against the formidable Mughal emperor Akbar. Despite Akbar’s persistence, camping for two years to ensnare the elusive king, his attempts were thwarted. In an extraordinary twist of fate, Maharana Pratap even rescued Akbar from rebel assassins. In a gesture of the king’s integrity, he declined Akbar’s lavish reward in exchange for subservience, thereby earning the emperor’s respect.”
This storied treasure, denied by the proud Rajput king, assumes center stage in this spun yarn, driving the modern-day counterpart of the story set in present-day Rajasthan. The descendant, encumbered by a legacy of uprightness, must unearth the lost treasure to restore the king’s timeless virtue to its rightful place.
Upon finalizing the script, Prasad’s ambitious next step is to pitch the project to filmmakers who can cater to the grand scale of storytelling the script demands—a pan-Indian cinema initiative, encompassing the diverse tapestry of Indian culture. Prasad’s vivid imagination sees the Mewar king as a towering personality with an indomitable spirit. He cites top-tier Indian talents Prabhas, Hrithik Roshan, and Ranbir Kapoor as befitting candidates for the double-edged sword of playing both the noble Maharana and his contemporary progeny.
Even as Prasad considers this project a precious brainchild, he simultaneously expresses fulfillment when assisting other filmmakers in refining their stories. Such collaborations represent Prasad’s gratitude towards an industry that has conferred upon him both reverence and riches. He commits to this partnership with goodwill, donating the entirety of his fees to charity as a way to contribute to the film community that has given him so much.
Indeed, KV Vijayendra Prasad’s journey continues unabated. With a career that has crossed cinematic boundaries and etched a storied path through the bedrock of Indian film lore, his unparalleled commitment to the craft shines through as he weaves the tale of Maharana Pratap for a modern audience. The film world awaits with bated breath as Prasad is set to convoke another spectacle—this time merging the essence of valorous Rajput heritage with the trials and tribulations of reclaiming honor in a world far removed from the battlefield of Haldighati, yet, perhaps, not so different after all.
