‘I Tried So Hard…’ Rajamouli Responds To Anand Mahindra

Rajamouli, received a request from business tycoon Anand Mahindra to consider making a movie on the Indus Valley Civilisation. Mahindra posted illustrations from the ancient civilization on Twitter, stating that they bring history to life and spark the imagination. He tagged Rajamouli in his post and urged him to make a film project based on the era that would create global awareness of this ancient civilization.

In response, Rajamouli shared an anecdote that had inspired him to work on a movie based on the Indus Valley Civilisation. He recounted how, while shooting for his movie Magadheera in Dholavira, Gujarat, he came across a tree that had turned into a fossil due to its age. This experience gave him the idea for a film on the rise and fall of the Indus Valley Civilisation, narrated by that tree. However, when he tried to visit Mohenjodaro in Pakistan to research further, he was denied permission.

The Indus Valley Civilisation, which existed around 3300–1300 BCE in the northwestern regions of South Asia, is one of the world’s earliest urban civilizations. It is known for its sophisticated urban planning, advanced drainage system, and the use of symbols in their script. Despite its historical significance, the Indus Valley Civilisation remains relatively unknown to the global audience.

SS Rajamouli is no stranger to making movies based on Indian history and primate civilisations. He is best known for directing the Baahubali franchise, a historical-fiction epic that grossed over $1.8 billion worldwide. His upcoming movie, RRR, is set in the 1920s and revolves around India’s freedom fighters Alluri Sitarama Raju and Komaram Bheem.

Anand Mahindra’s request to Rajamouli to make a movie on the Indus Valley Civilisation has sparked excitement among moviegoers and history enthusiasts alike. If Rajamouli decides to take up the project, it would be a significant step in bringing the ancient civilization to global attention and educating people about its rich cultural heritage.