From Scripts to Scriptures: When Cinema Recreated Mythology and History
-Arushi Kastwar
Cinema, as one of the most powerful forms of storytelling, has the unique ability to breathe life into legends, myths, and histories, transporting audiences across time and space. When filmmakers choose to recreate mythology and history on screen, they undertake an immense responsibility—they are not just telling stories, but are reinterpreting collective memories and cultural identities. This interplay between script and scripture, between cinematic narrative and revered texts, blurs the lines between reality, belief, and artistic expression. Films and television series such as Baahubali, The Ten Commandments, Jodhaa Akbar, and the Ramayan series stand as vivid examples where mythology and history entwine seamlessly, reshaping cultural heritage, deepening public understanding, and fueling enduring fascination. This essay explores how these cinematic masterpieces recreate mythology and history, illuminating the delicate balance between entertainment, education, and reverence.
The Epic Grandeur of Baahubali: Mythology Meets Cinematic Majesty
Baahubali, directed by S. S. Rajamouli, is a landmark in Indian cinema, not only for its technical brilliance and storytelling but also for its inventive take on mythology. The film series draws heavily on Indian mythological archetypes, weaving a narrative that is both epic and timeless. Though fictional, Baahubali captures the grandeur, moral dilemmas, epic battles, and dynastic dramas that are characteristic of Indian mythology, akin to the great epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana.
The story revolves around the royal dynasty of Mahishmati and the struggle for the throne, featuring complex characters like Amarendra Baahubali and Bhallaladeva, who embody virtues and vices reminiscent of mythological heroes and demons. The film’s depiction of fate, dharma (righteousness), loyalty, sacrifice, and the triumph of good over evil resonates deeply with audiences familiar with traditional Indian mythos. Rajamouli borrows narrative techniques from oral traditions and epic storytelling: elaborate backstories, dramatic twists, and larger-than-life characters.
Cinematically, Baahubali pushes boundaries in visual effects, scale, and grandeur, reminiscent of ancient temples and palaces, battle sequences that evoke cosmic wars described in sacred texts. As such, it transforms mythology into a visual scripture, accessible to modern viewers yet deeply rooted in age-old cultural consciousness. The film’s popularity transcended borders, bringing Indian mythology to the global stage, illustrating how cinema can preserve cultural narratives while innovating in presentation.
More than just entertainment, Baahubali triggered renewed interest in Indian mythology among younger generations. The series sparked debates on dharma, kingship, and morality, proving that mythology, when reimagined through cinema, is not static—rather, it evolves and continues to teach, entertain, and inspire.
The Ten Commandments: Biblical History in Hollywood’s Spectacle
In the Western cinematic tradition, The Ten Commandments (1956), directed by Cecil B. DeMille, represents one of the most iconic recreations of biblical history. The film dramatizes the story of Moses, his leadership in liberating the Israelites from Egyptian bondage, and the receiving of the Ten Commandments from God—one of the foundational events of Judeo-Christian religious narrative.
What makes The Ten Commandments a distinct example of cinema recreating scripture is its adherence to religious texts while also serving Hollywood’s appetite for spectacle. The film balanced reverence for sacred narrative with the grandeur demanded by 1950s audiences. From the powerful performances of Charlton Heston as Moses to the awe-inspiring visual effects—such as the parting of the Red Sea—the film dramatizes scripture with a blend of faithfulness and cinematic flourish.
This adaptation set a benchmark for biblical epics and played a role in shaping popular understanding of these religious stories in the 20th century. In a time when literacy rates and access to religious texts varied, films like The Ten Commandments acted as accessible “visual scriptures,” embedding key religious stories into the cultural fabric through mass media.
Importantly, the film also explored themes of divine justice, faith, obedience, and liberation—universal motifs that transcend the specific historical and religious context. By historicizing biblical myth, The Ten Commandments opened space for wider reflection on morality, leadership, and freedom, thereby affirming the continuing relevance of ancient stories in modernity.
Jodhaa Akbar: History, Romance, and Secular Mythmaking
Moving from mythology and biblical history to a blend of history and legend, Ashutosh Gowariker’s Jodhaa Akbar (2008) is a cinematic retelling of the romance and political alliance between Mughal Emperor Akbar and Rajput princess Jodhaa Bai. The film occupies a fascinating space between historical reconstruction and mythic storytelling, crafting a narrative that blends historical detail with romanticized imagination.
While the Mughal era and Emperor Akbar’s reign are well-documented in Indian history, Jodhaa Akbar adds layers of cinematic grandeur, intricate set designs, and poetic dialogue, elevating historical figures to almost mythic status. The film emphasizes Akbar’s vision of religious tolerance and secular governance—values that resonate deeply in contemporary India’s pluralistic society. By portraying the emperor as a figure who transcended religious divides through love and understanding, the film contributes to the construction of a secular mythos.
The romance at the heart of the story, between two powerful but different cultural worlds, provides an emotionally compelling framework that makes history accessible and engaging. This romantic mythmaking, while criticized by some historians for historical liberties, serves to humanize iconic figures and foster a sense of unity, peace, and respect for diversity.
Moreover, Jodhaa Akbar uses music, dance, and costume to reflect the cultural syncretism of the era, giving viewers a sensory experience that deepens engagement with the past. It reframes history not merely as dates and facts, but as living narratives that shape identity and values. As a result, the film plays a crucial role in cinematic historiography, influencing public perceptions and underscoring the power of mythmaking that intertwines with history.
Ramayan Series: Television as Living Mythology
No discussion on cinema and mythology in India is complete without acknowledging the monumental impact of the Ramayan television series, originally directed by Ramanand Sagar in the 1980s. This series, based on the ancient Sanskrit epic, is one of the most widely watched and beloved retellings of mythology, which effectively became modern scripture for millions of viewers.
The Ramayan series brought scriptural stories that had been traditionally confined to oral recitations and sacred texts into Indian homes on a daily basis. Its episodic format, profound dialogues, and the portrayal of characters like Rama, Sita, Hanuman, and Ravana with nuanced human emotions made mythology tangible and accessible. It forged a shared cultural memory across diverse linguistic and regional divides, reinforcing the epic’s moral and spiritual truths in everyday life.
What made the Ramayan series extraordinary was its respectful yet dramatic treatment of the scripture. The production values, costumes, and settings, though limited by technology of the time, sought authenticity, while the performances reinforced the divinity and humanity of the characters. The series blurred lines between storytelling, worship, and collective identity—as many viewers treated it with reverence akin to scripture itself.
This unprecedented cultural phenomenon sparked dialogues on duty, righteousness, devotion, and dharma, significantly influencing Indian popular culture, values, and even politics. The Ramayan series is a testimony to how visual media can transform mythology into a lived experience, sustaining and reshaping spiritual traditions through the modern medium of television.
Blurring Boundaries: The Power and Responsibility of Cinematic Mythmaking
Collectively, Baahubali, The Ten Commandments, Jodhaa Akbar, and the Ramayan series illuminate cinema’s potent capability to recreate mythology and history, blending fact with folklore, history with imagination. These works do more than retell stories; they reshape collective memory, influence cultural identity, and offer frameworks through which societies interpret their past and present.
However, this powerful medium also comes with responsibilities. Filmmakers must navigate the thin line between creative license and respectful representation, particularly when dealing with deeply revered narratives that hold religious or historical significance. Misrepresentation or excessive fictionalization can provoke controversy or cultural backlash, underscoring the sensitivity required in adapting such narratives.
Yet, the very act of cinematic reinterpretation ensures that mythology and history are not stagnant relics but are dynamic, evolving tapestries. These films and series encourage dialogue, introspection, and renewed engagement with ancient wisdom, making them relevant to contemporary audiences.
Conclusion: From Scripts to Living Scriptures
The journey “From Scripts to Scriptures” is one where cinema transcends mere storytelling and enters the realm of cultural scripture—transforming myths and historical narratives into living, breathing experiences that resonate across generations. Baahubali’s epic mythology, The Ten Commandments’ biblical epicness, Jodhaa Akbar’s romantic history, and the Ramayan series’ televisual scripture together illustrate the profound role cinema plays in how humanity perceives its roots, values, and ideals.
By continuously reimagining these grand narratives, cinema keeps ancient stories alive, relevant, and accessible—allowing societies not only to remember their past but to find meaning in it anew. As films become scriptures writ large on screens, they invite us to reconsider history and mythology not as static archives but as vibrant, transformative forces that shape our understanding of the world and ourselves.
In this convergence of script and scripture, cinema redefines how cultures create and sustain their identities—reminding us that storytelling, whether ancient or modern, remains at the heart of human experience.
