Shekhar Kapur to direct series adaptation of Amish Tripathi's Shiva Trilogy

Veteran filmmaker Shekhar Kapur is set to direct the series adaptation of author Amish Tripathi's critically-acclaimed book series Shiva Trilogy.

The series is the first project from global studio International Art Machine, which on Wednesday announced its plans to venture into the Indian market.

Led by Roy Price, the studio has also lined up projects from Bollywood star Preity Zinta and critically acclaimed filmmaker Dibakar Banerjee.

International Art Machine has acquired the rights of Tripathi's Shiva Trilogy, which includes the books -- The Immortals of Meluha (2010), The Secret of the Nagas (2011) and The Oath of the Vayuputras (2013).

The first book The Immortals of Meluha will be adapted into a digital show, to be directed by Kapur.

Suparn S Varma of The Family Man 2 fame will serve as a showrunner and also direct the series.

Kapur, best known for Elizabeth and Bandit Queen, said he is excited to direct the series adaptation of Shiva Trilogy, which he said was "India's great publishing sensation crossing every age and class".

Varma said the trilogy is a genre-defining book and has become part of the pop-culture of the country.

Tripathi said he is thrilled to collaborate with Kapur, Varma and Roy.

As it enters India, International Art Machine said it is committed to creating credible, creative, commercial stories across theatrical and digital platforms and partnering with the top brass in the business for a massive launch slate.

The studio will follow series adaptation of the Shiva Trilogy with the political thriller "Gods", to be directed by Dibaker Banerjee, and The Kitty Party, a dramedy created by Zinta, known for films like Dil Se.., Dil Chahta Hai, and Veer-Zaara.