Director Shankar, who last made Game Changer with Ram Charan, revealed that his upcoming adaptation of Velpari novel, written by Su Venkatesan, will be "globally acclaimed" akin to Game of Thrones and Avatar.
Taking to the stage during the event that celebrated Valpari and its creator for selling one lakh copies he recalled the first time he picked up the book to read, "It was during the coronavirus pandemic that I wanted to pick up the habit of reading books. I was reminded by Velpari that was suggested to me to be taken as a film. I was searching to purchase the book and I couldn't find one copy. Even director Vasanthabalan wasn't able to find and we directly reached out to the author himself. He gave his own personal copy to us."
Showering praise on the novel he said, "Velpari was visually and themetically stong. It evoked strong feelings also. I was taken aback by how vividly it described many scenes in the life of Paari. There was always a song running in my head when I was reading it." Sharing several anecdotes from the book, Shankar said, "Just like Ponniyin Selvan, even Velpari's popularity will remain in the hearts of people for another 50 years. It should be included in several schools as a part of their curriculum."
Speaking about adapting the book, he underlined that his first dream project was Endhiran and that his focus has now shifted to Velpari. "Now, my dream film is Velpari. Whenever we attempt to create a 'big' film, everyone will quote the example and legacy of Chandralekha (1948). This adaptation will be compared to it and will also be praised more than that. If SS Vasan was there now, he would have produced it himself. There is so much scope for this film," he said and further went on to remark, "Like Game of Thrones and Avatar, this will be celebrated across the world as a knowledgeable and entertaining epic that will surely bring pride to India as well as Tamil Nadu."
In an interview earlier this year, the filmmaker revealed that his Velpari adaptation will be a three-part film made on a massive scale.
The 2019 novel Veera Yuga Nayagan Velpari draws inspiration from Tamil Sangam literature and centres on a tribal ruler of Parambu, famously remembered as 'Mullaikku Thaer Kodutha Paari'. Celebrated for his courage and generosity, King Pari stands as a legendary figure in ancient Tamil history.
