AFTER
HIS MAMMOTH PRODUCTION, PANIPAT, FOUNDER OF VISION WORLD, ROHIT SHELATKAR HAS GRANDER
PLANS TO ENTERTAIN.
When did the idea to invest in Panipat come about?
The idea behind Panipat was to showcase the bravery,
gallantry and patriotism of Maratha warriors, who fought without fear in the
historic battle of Panipat in the 18th century. Unfortunately, not many people
are aware of this tale of bravery where Sadashivrao Bhau, commander-in-chief of
the Maratha army, led his force in the Third Battle of Panipat against Ahmad
Shah Abdali, the king of Afghanistan. Being a history buff, this tale always
had me hooked. I wanted to be the one to present this on screen. Being of
Maharashtrian plunge myself, I needed to introduce a legitimate encounter for
filmgoers. My enthusiasm for the subject brought about an amicable joint
effort with praised executive Ashutosh Gowarikar. His renowned craftsmanship
and attention to detail resulted in a magnificent masterpiece.
What’s the USP of the film?
The fact that Panipat is based on a true story is the
main USP of the film. It’s a rare event of a small army challenging a much
bigger army and fighting an unselfish battle only to protect the motherland. Tragically,
relatively few know about the surprising development of the Maratha domain all
through Hindustan in the eighteenth century and the hardships looked by the
Marathas during the Battle of Panipat. The Marathas, who regardless of being
1,000 miles away in Pune, went to shield our country from the Afghan intruders.
I believed this spirit shown by the Marathas would promote a deep sense of
patriotism in the audience.
How can a film of this stature impact global audiences?
Films like Panipat showcase the rich and illustrious
history of India to the world. It’s important for the world to see the bravery
and valor of our martyrs, who gave up their lives for the motherland. India is
a land with thrilling stories from its past. Back home too, people enjoy seeing
the glories of their ancestors. Movies like Panipat keep history alive. They
should be encouraged not just by the story, but the honor and pride they
instill.
Can the OTT platform and the big screen can co-exist without affecting each other?
I believe the OTT platform and the big screen can
co-exist and help nurture talent. The OTT platform provides a bigger avenue for
talent to shine. The content on these platforms is noteworthy. It gives
lesser-known writers, cinematographers, and other technicians and artists an
opportunity to showcase their craft.
What can we expect from Vision World Films in the future?
Vision World Films is looking to expand in various
areas, which includes digital platforms. There is a vast pool of talent in
India. We hope to collaborate with them to bring gripping content to the
viewers. Currently, the company is working on a few projects. We will be
announcing our upcoming projects soon.
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