Ranveer Singh as Lord Shiva in Meluha: Why This Rumour Won't Die — And Why That's the Real Story

"Pinkvilla says Ranveer Singh has acquired The Immortals of Meluha rights. Amish Tripathi says no deal has been signed. Both things can be simultaneously true — and what's happening in that gap is the story."

WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED

Multiple reports — primarily from Pinkvilla and Bollywood Hungama — claimed that Ranveer Singh's production banner Maa Kasam Films has acquired the rights to Amish Tripathi's bestselling mythological novel The Immortals of Meluha, with plans to adapt it as a three-part cinematic universe in partnership with Birla Studios. Ranveer Singh is expected to play Lord Shiva. However, author Amish Tripathi swiftly denied the claim in a statement to Variety India, confirming the rights remain with him and no agreement has been signed with anyone. The first part of a potential film was reportedly not expected to begin shooting until 2028.

THE INSIDER TAKE

Rights negotiations for The Immortals of Meluha have collapsed before — Karan Johar acquired rights in 2014 and shelved the project; Shekhar Kapur and Amish announced a web series in 2022 that also failed to materialise. What's happening now follows the same pattern: a producer-side source leaks early-stage interest to Pinkvilla as a scoop, the story gets amplified before any deal is signed, and the author is forced to deny it to protect his IP. That's not necessarily a sign the adaptation is dead. It may simply mean the negotiation is live and the leak was premature. Ranveer's camp notably has not denied any of this — which is exactly the posture you take when talks are ongoing.

WHY THIS MATTERS

The Immortals of Meluha is one of the most commercially viable unproduced IP properties in Indian mythology. Whoever adapts it controls the cultural narrative on Shiva for a generation. The adaptation has eluded Bollywood for over a decade precisely because the creative stakes are enormous — the wrong portrayal of a Hindu deity is a PR and legal minefield. Post-Dhurandhar, Ranveer Singh is arguably the only Hindi film star with both the credibility and the audience goodwill to attempt it.

WHAT FANS ARE MISSING

Amish's denial included an unusually warm addendum — 'I have huge respect for Ranveer, and am a big fan.' That's not the language of a rights holder who's annoyed about misreporting. That's the language of someone in active conversation who doesn't want a public confrontation to derail a deal.

■ QUICK FACTS

• Property: The Immortals of Meluha (Amish Tripathi, 2010) — Part 1 of the Shiva Trilogy

• Rights Status: With Amish Tripathi; no confirmed deal signed as of May 2026

• Previous Failed Adaptations: Karan Johar (2014), Shekhar Kapur / Amazon (2022)

• Potential Lead: Ranveer Singh (unconfirmed)

• Earliest Possible Shoot: 2028 per early reports

FANS ALSO ASKED

Q: Is Ranveer Singh making a film on The Immortals of Meluha?

A: Reports suggest early-stage development, but author Amish Tripathi has clarified no rights deal has been signed as of May 2026.

Q: Who holds the rights to The Immortals of Meluha?

A: Author Amish Tripathi confirmed the rights remain with him and no agreement has been reached with any filmmaker.

Q: Has The Immortals of Meluha been adapted before?

A: Two previous adaptations were announced — by Karan Johar in 2014 and Shekhar Kapur in 2022 — both of which stalled and were never made.

Q: Who would Ranveer Singh play in an Immortals of Meluha adaptation?

A: Reports indicated Ranveer would portray Lord Shiva, the central protagonist of Amish Tripathi's mythological fiction trilogy.