Srimad-Bhagavatam – The Movie
The Vedic Theatre Company in association with producers in India are discussing preparations for an adaptation of the great Vedic classic, Srimad-Bhagavatam. This is an epic undertaking that to our knowledge, has never been attempted as a major feature film from a Vasinava point of view.
With a proposed budget, costing many crores, we are seeking letters of intent or an intense desire to become involved with a unique adaptation of this mammoth work concentrating on the essence and high points of the Bhagavatam. We are considering one of three ways of doing this:
- As a 3-hour plus feature film. This requires skillful condensation extracting the essence from various cantos.
- A mini-series for television possibly in several parts.
- Or as 2-3 separate feature film sequels much the way “Star Wars” was accomplished.
All ideas are taken into consideration. It may also be, depending upon the scope of the project, that the film Bhagavatam will be directed by devotees who are experienced in film production and be given the opportunity to direct the various segments as one whole. For example, a devotee directs the beginning, another the middle and yet another director, the end. Again, these are ideas under consideration.
Right now, we are concerned about the manner in which an adaptation can be achieved in a visually powerful way while still retaining it’s spiritual message. There are many approaches to this and we would like to hear from the Krsna conscious devotees out there who may like to become involved with this.
We are anticipating that upon approval of a final 1st draft screenplay, actual shooting could begin in India in the spring-summer of 2004.
Again, we are seeking input from the devotee community at large as this is a team effort requiring many skills. Right now, I would like to communicate with a devotee who is adept at screenwriting and at the same time knows Bhagavatam. Basically, it would involve a collaboration possibly with many writers and there would be pay according to a final budget breakdown.
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haribol. all glories to the sum of the devotees. i humbly approach your lotus feet to say even though i am looking into if there is a bhagavatam movie adeptation i remember reading an exerpt from prabhupada when asked on weather some nice devotees would have his blessing on making a movie on krsna conciousness. and i would never want to miss quote prabhupada so please forgive my error in even attempting. but i remember him responding in the tune of , the way to peoples hearts is through chanting and hearing and reading and remembering and san kirtan. not through movies but more through association with pure devotees and that the money could be used on temples and book production and distrobution .. so if it is to glorify your guru, and his guru and the whole sampradya then making a movie to help guide people back home to godhead would be a kind undertaking . even more so if it is your bhakti and joy. but please continue to also be involved in book distrobution even when your making the movie. so that prabhupad and his gurus wishes of distributing these great lituratures in there fullness from prabhupada directly. also id like to say thank you for this. i bow to you for your dedication and service. this is a perfect way for those of us devotees who like technology and media but want our outlet to be pluged into krsna. may his mercy be your rasa
Yes Prabhu. You are right.
Srila Prabhuapda did not show any enthusiasm really for making a movie about Krishna Lila but the reason for this is that there is no qualified person to make such a movie. In the case you have mentioned it was some Indian film production company who was proposing making the movie and Srila Prabhuapda did not encourage them, because he knew they did not understand Krishna and therefore the movie would end up being useless anyhow.
However Srila Prabhupada was very happy with the movies created by Yadubara Prabhu including films like “The Hare Krishna People”, “The World of Hare Krishna”, etc.
When he was preaching in India Srila Prabhuapda had the devotees show at least one of these movies at practically every preaching program he attended and he would sit there with the devotees and guests and watch these movies over and over and over again and very much enjoy them.
So it is not that the movie technology can not be used in the service of Krishna. But the movies have to be made under the direction of a pure devotee of Krishna.
If someone is not a pure devotee of Krishna they can not make a movie about Krishna. Because Krishna can only be understood by His pure devotees.
Therefore, as you rightly say, Srila Prabhuapda emphasised book production and distribution, not movie making, and that is truly the way to please Srila Prabhupada, by printing and distributing his books.
Chant Hare Krishna and be happy!
Madhudvisa dasa