Agni Varsha
Rain of Fire (Agni Varsha) Episode 1 of 2

Adapted from the play. The Fire and the Rain by one of India's foremost playwrights Girish Karnad, Agnivarsha is derived from the myth of Yavakri, which is a part of the great Indian epic, The Mahabharata. The film was shot entirely on location in Hampi, a world heritage site. The production of the film has retained the period aspect without losing the immediacy of contemporary insights that are so much a part of the script. The film is set in a land that has been in the midst of a ravaging drought for ten years. In order to appease Indra the god of rain, a grand fire sacrifice is being conducted at the palace. As this sacrifice draws to a close, begins our story a grand tale of lust, seduction, love, betrayal, sibling, rivalry and ultimately murder. Director Arjun Sajnani brings his rich experience in theater to play in this complex tale of human emotions and spirit. He delftly switches between a range of well-etched characters to great dramatic effect in a film that explores Hindu philosophy and the concept of karma (destiny). The cast reads like a who's who of the Indian film industry led by a special appearance by the legendary Amitabh Bachchan (as Lord Indra)- the biggest star Indian cinema has ever known. Popular actors Jackie Shroff (as Paravasu), Milind Soman (as Aravasu), Telgu film superstar Nagarjuna (as Yavakri), Tamil dancing star Pabhudeva (as the demon Bramharakshash), Sonali Kulkami (as Nittilal) are seen in major roles. The highlight of the film is Raveena Tandon (as Vishakha) whose smoldering sensuality sets the screen ablaze. Shooting this galaxy of stars against the picuresque Hampi backdrop is cinematographer Anil Mehta whose work was seen in the Oscar nomated Lagaan. The film has been acclaimed to the world over. It was chosen as the opening gala film at the prestigious Commonwealth Film Festival, Manchester (England) in 2002, out of a field feauturing over 500 films from across the globe. In short Agnivarsha is a cinematic experience that