In what could mark one of the most ambitious projects in Indian cinema, Bollywood superstar Ranveer Singh has been linked to a grand trilogy adaptation of author Amish Tripathi’s bestselling novel ‘The Immortals of Meluha’. However, Amish Tripathi has denied reports claiming Ranveer Singh will play Lord Shiva in a film adaptation of The Immortals of Meluha trilogy, clarifying that the rights to the Shiva Trilogy are still with him, and no agreement has been signed yet.
For the past few days, rumours have been rife that Ranveer Singh will star in a film adaptation of The Immortals of Meluha, with social media flooded with claims that the actor had secured the rights to the popular mythological novel and that the project was being planned as a big-budget trilogy, with Ranveer expected to play Lord Shiva.
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Author Denies Reports
Speaking to Variety India, Amish confirmed that no deal has been signed yet for any screen adaptation of the Shiva Trilogy. The author stated, “The rights for the Shiva Trilogy are with me. And nothing has been signed with anyone as yet. Of course, I have huge respect for Ranveer, and am a big fan of his. But this news is not true“.
Reported Details Table
| Aspect | Reported Claims | Author’s Response |
|---|---|---|
| Rights Acquisition | Rs. 40 crores paid | No agreement signed |
| Lead Actor | Ranveer Singh as Lord Shiva | Not confirmed |
| Production Banner | Maa Kasam Films | No deal finalized |
| Partner Studio | Birla Studios | No collaboration confirmed |
| Trilogy Format | 3-film franchise | Not in development |
| Filming Timeline | Expected 2028 | No timeline exists |
Ranveer’s Current Success
Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar franchise has broken several box office records and become one of the biggest successes in Indian cinema, with the two-part action spy series including Dhurandhar (released in December 2025) and Dhurandhar: The Revenge (released on March 19, 2026) earning more than Rs 3,100 crore worldwide, making it the first Indian film franchise to achieve this huge milestone. Dhurandhar: The Revenge (Dhurandhar 2), released on March 19, 2026, has also been breaking box office records, positioning Ranveer as one of Bollywood’s most bankable stars. This success has naturally led to speculation about his next major project.
About The Immortals of Meluha
The Immortals of Meluha, written by Amish Tripathi, is one of India’s most celebrated mythological novels and the first installment of the blockbuster Shiva Trilogy, with the book series enjoying a huge fan base across the country and has long been considered ideal material for a large-scale cinematic universe. The first book, The Immortals of Meluha, was published in 2010, with the three novels of Amishverse following the story of the Himalayan warrior named Shiva who arrives at the ancient temple of Meluha, where in the trilogy, Shiva is a mortal man who attains the mantle of a God after the kingdom believes he is Neelkanth, a savior.
The Shiva Trilogy Overview
| Book | Published | Central Theme |
|---|---|---|
| The Immortals of Meluha | 2010 | Shiva arrives in Meluha kingdom |
| The Secret of the Nagas | 2011 | Shiva’s quest continues |
| The Oath of the Vayuputras | 2013 | Conclusion of the trilogy |
Complicated Adaptation History
The Immortals of Meluha was initially set to be adapted into a big-budget film by Karan Johar, with Karan Malhotra attached to direct, with Johar having acquired the rights in 2012, but the project was eventually shelved due to concerns over possible backlash regarding the portrayal of an Indian God on screen. After the rights reverted, Sanjay Leela Bhansali acquired them, although the adaptation never moved forward. Ranveer Singh was to lead Immortals of Meluha for Sanjay Leela Bhansali, however, the project never materialised.
Previous Interest Table
| Period | Production House | Director | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Dharma Productions (Karan Johar) | Karan Malhotra | Shelved due to concerns |
| Later | Sanjay Leela Bhansali | Not announced | Never materialized |
| 2026 | Reported: Maa Kasam Films | Not confirmed | Denied by author |
Over the years, names including Hrithik Roshan and Ranbir Kapoor were separately linked to the project in various capacities, with both ultimately not being involved.
Akshay Kumar’s Regret
The Rowdy Rathore actor revealed that he was advised to buy the rights to The Immortals of Meluha, saying, “I still remember that when Amish’s first book on Lord Shiva had come out, I was advised to buy the rights of the book and make a film on it. I had seen the cover of the book and was not convinced that I could play Lord Shiva“.
Ranveer’s Upcoming Projects
Ranveer is all set to star next in Pralay, with the film to be directed by Jai Mehta, son of Hansal Mehta, who co-directed the smash hit Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story. In addition to The Immortals of Meluha, Ranveer also has Jay Mehta’s film Pralay, which is expected to begin shooting in August 2026, although no official announcement regarding the film has been made yet.
Current Status of Reports
For now, despite the fresh rumours doing the rounds online, there is no confirmed film or series adaptation of The Immortals of Meluha in development, with neither Ranveer nor his team having reacted to the same.
Personal Life Update
On the personal front Ranveer Singh and his wife Deepika Padukone are expecting their second child, with the couple recently announcing the news by sharing a photo of their daughter Dua on Instagram.
Why This Project Matters
The potential adaptation of The Immortals of Meluha represents a significant trend in Indian cinema, where actors are increasingly drawn to mythological and epic narratives. With the massive success of films like Baahubali and RRR proving the appetite for large-scale period and mythological dramas, a properly executed Shiva Trilogy could establish a Marvel-style cinematic universe based on Indian mythology.
However, the sensitivity surrounding the depiction of Hindu deities on screen remains a significant consideration, as evidenced by the shelving of previous attempts. Any future adaptation would need to navigate these concerns while maintaining the essence of Tripathi’s reimagined mythology.
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FAQs
Has Ranveer Singh acquired the rights to The Immortals of Meluha?
No. Author Amish Tripathi confirmed to Variety India that the rights remain with him and no agreement has been signed with anyone yet.
Will Ranveer Singh play Lord Shiva in the film?
There is no confirmed film project. While reports speculated about this, the author has denied these claims as untrue.
Has The Immortals of Meluha been adapted before?
No successful adaptation has been made. Karan Johar acquired rights in 2012 but shelved the project. Sanjay Leela Bhansali later acquired rights but the film never materialized.
What is Ranveer Singh’s next confirmed project?
Ranveer is set to star in Pralay, a zombie-thriller directed by Jai Mehta, expected to begin shooting in August 2026.
What is The Immortals of Meluha about?
It’s the first book in Amish Tripathi’s Shiva Trilogy, published in 2010, depicting Shiva as a mortal Himalayan warrior who becomes a god in the ancient kingdom of Meluha.
