The Initial "Acquisition" Report
Early reports on Monday, May 11, 2026, suggested that Ranveer Singh had secured the adaptation rights to the Shiva Trilogy under his production banner, Maa Kasam Films, in partnership with Birla Studios.
The Vision: The project was described as an expansive, three-part mythological cinematic universe.
The Timeline: Reports claimed that screenplay work and "world-building" had already begun, with a projected production start date in 2028.
The Context: Following Ranveer’s record-breaking success in Dhurandhar: The Revenge (which recently surpassed Baahubali 2 to become India’s second-highest-grossing film), a role of this magnitude seemed like the logical next step for his career.
The Author’s Rebuttal: "Not True"
In a sudden twist today, Tuesday, May 12, author Amish Tripathi broke his silence from the UK to clarify the situation.
The Statement: "The rights for the Shiva Trilogy are with me. And nothing has been signed with anyone as yet," Amish told Variety India and other outlets.
The Respect: While Amish expressed high regard for Ranveer, stating he is a "big fan," he explicitly denied that any acquisition or deal has taken place.
The History: This isn't the first time Meluha has faced "development hell." Both Karan Johar (who held the rights for years for his shelved project Shuddhi) and Sanjay Leela Bhansali have previously attempted to bring the trilogy to the screen without success.
Ranveer Singh’s Confirmed 2026-2027 Lineup
While the world of Meluha remains a question mark, Ranveer’s actual schedule is packed with high-concept projects:
Project Role / Context Status Pralay Lead (Zombie Action-Thriller) Shooting starts August 2026 Untitled Aditya Dhar Film Historical Epic / Thriller Shooting starts March 2027 King Cameo / Supporting (with SRK) Currently filming in Cape Town Dhurandhar 2 Jameel Jamali / Hamza Currently in theatres (Record-breaking run)
Why the Rumour Gained Traction
The rumour likely gained steam because Ranveer has long been a frontrunner in fan-casting for the role of the "human Shiva" depicted in Amish's books. His ability to portray raw, primal energy—combined with the fact that he is currently at his commercial peak—made the report of a "₹1700 crore star" acquiring the rights feel highly plausible to the industry and fans alike.
SantaBanta Verdict:
For now, the "Immortals of Meluha" remains in the hands of its creator. While Ranveer Singh has the "divine energy" to pull off such a role, it appears the reports of a signed deal were premature. However, in Bollywood, a "denial" today is often the "official announcement" of tomorrow. Whether it's Meluha or his upcoming zombie flick Pralay, one thing is certain: Ranveer is no longer just playing characters; he’s building universes
