Akshay Kumar and Vishnu Manchu, currently promoting their upcoming mythological film "Kannappa," have sparked a debate about the origins of Hollywood's superhero narratives. In a recent interview, Akshay Kumar asserted that Hollywood's superheroes and their powers are heavily inspired by Indian mythology. Vishnu Manchu further added to this by claiming that even "Star Wars" draws inspiration from the "Mahabharat," and that Steven Spielberg's "E.T." has roots in a script penned by Satyajit Ray.
Akshay Kumar, known as Bollywood's original 'Khiladi', emphasized the vast reservoir of stories within Indian culture and history. He believes that Hollywood frequently taps into this resource, adapting Indian narratives for a global audience. Kumar expressed his amazement at the depth of these stories, admitting that he was unfamiliar with the tale of Kannappa before working on the film.
Vishnu Manchu elaborated on this idea, pointing to specific examples. He stated that the epic scope and themes of "Star Wars" are reminiscent of the "Mahabharat," one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India. Manchu also referenced Satyajit Ray's script "The Alien," suggesting it served as the basis for "E.T.". Ray himself had previously mentioned that his script had been circulating in Los Angeles for some time before the release of Spielberg's film, which bore striking similarities to his story. While Spielberg never officially acknowledged Ray's work as an inspiration, the connection has been a topic of discussion among film enthusiasts for years.
Director Dolly, known for films centered around Hindu deities, has also voiced similar opinions. He has criticized the use of the term "mythology" when referring to Indian epics like the "Ramayana" and "Mahabharata," arguing that these are historical narratives rather than mere myths. Dolly contrasts these epics with Hollywood superheroes, asserting that characters like Spider-Man and Superman are purely fictional, while Hindu gods are considered real and continue to be worshipped.
The film "Kannappa" which stars Vishnu Manchu in the lead role as Kannappa, a devout follower of Lord Shiva, aims to bring one such story to the screen. Akshay Kumar will be portraying Lord Shiva in the film. The movie is directed by Mohan Kumar Singh. "Kannappa" was also screened at the Cannes Film Festival in 2024.
These assertions come at a time when there's increasing interest in exploring Indian mythology and history in cinema. Many filmmakers are delving into these rich narratives, aiming to create stories that resonate with both Indian and global audiences. Whether Hollywood has directly borrowed from Indian mythology or whether the similarities are coincidental remains open to interpretation. However, the discussion ignited by Akshay Kumar and Vishnu Manchu highlights the potential for Indian stories to inspire and influence global cinema.
