Oppenheimer To Avatar: 11 Hollywood Movies That Draw Inspiration From Indian Mythologies

Films are the mirror of society and a replica of realism. This is one of the reasons why the world resonates with movies at such a large level. On the other hand, Indian mythologies have a recorded history of inspiring millions of films across the world.

Here are 11 such Hollywood movies that drew inspiration from Indian mythologies:-

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1. Oppenheimer

This Christopher Nolan film is inspired by the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer who is often referred to as the ‘father of the atomic bomb’. Robert was an ardent believer in the Hindu epic Bhagavad Gita and even actor Cillian Murphy has also spoken publicly about reading this scripture while preparing for this film.

2. Avatar series

James Cameron's blockbuster hit, Avatar, cleverly incorporates elements of Indian mythology, particularly through its name derived from Sanskrit, meaning 'incarnation'. The film's symbolism resonates with Lord Vishnu's avatars in Hinduism, depicted with blue skin like the Na'vi characters. The narrative aligns with Vishnu's avatars restoring cosmic order, mirroring the Avatar's mission to counter destruction caused by greed.

3. Dark Knight

"The Dark Knight" draws loose parallels with Hindu mythology through themes of protecting righteousness and dual nature. Batman, like Lord Krishna, is a defender of justice and possesses contrasting personas. However, these connections are coincidental, as the film primarily draws from the Batman comics.

4. X-men Apocalypse

The Apocalypse in X-Men is loosely inspired by the Hindu god Krishna. Remember him saying in one of the scenes, "I have been called many things over many lifetimes: Ra, Krishna, Yahweh.”? While the film explores ancient civilizations and incorporates themes of god-like figures and powerful mutants, any connections to Indian mythology can be seen as coincidental.

5. Watchmen

In the movie Watchmen, Doctor Manhattan's character is associated with Lord Krishna, extending beyond their shared blue colour. Doctor Manhattan's powers, including hyperconsciousness, parallel Krishna's divine attributes. When witnessing the atomic bomb's detonation, a line from the Bhagavad Gita, "Now I have become Death, the destroyer of worlds," resonates in his mind, further linking him to Krishna.

6. Matrix Trilogy

The Matrix, a groundbreaking sci-fi action film, delves into Hindu philosophy by questioning the nature of reality and exploring the concept of 'Maya', the metaphysical illusion. The protagonist, Neo, awakens to the illusion created by AI machines, mirroring the idea of Maya in Hinduism. Neo's journey to transcend the fabricated reality aligns intending to transcend Maya in Hindu philosophy, adding a profound philosophical dimension to the film.

7. Doctor Strange

Doctor Strange, the beloved Marvel character, delves into Indian mythology, incorporating elements from Hinduism and Buddhism. After a life-altering accident, Stephen Strange seeks a sorcerer's help in Kathmandu, unveiling a realm of mystical powers that turns him into a superhero. The integration of Indian wisdom into Doctor Strange's gestures and abilities adds to his worldwide appeal.

8. Inception

Christopher Nolan’s Inception explores Indian philosophical concepts through a cinematic lens, particularly the idea of time dilation within nested dreams. The film draws parallels to Hindu temporal units, suggesting that our perceived life is a dream, causing cycles of suffering. Inception's manipulation of time and dream labyrinth aligns with profound metaphysical insights from Hindu philosophy.

9. Star Wars Series

The Star Wars franchise exhibits striking similarities with Vedic traditions, particularly in the mentor-disciple relationship of Yoda and Luke, reminiscent of the guru-shishya dynamic. Yoda's teachings align with passages from the Bhagavad Gita, while the concept of 'The Force' parallels the Hindu perception of the 'One' or Universe. Yoda's interpretation of 'the Force' reflects a synthesis of Hindu philosophy and science fiction.

10. Interstellar

Interstellar's core philosophy aligns with the ancient Vedic concept of a universal super-consciousness that transcends time and space, connecting all human life. The film's plot, featuring time dilation on Miller's planet, bears resemblance to an incident in Hindu mythology involving King Muchukunda. These parallels enhance Interstellar's exploration of time, space, and human connection, combining Vedic philosophy with futuristic science fiction.

11. Species

This film primarily falls within the science fiction and horror genres, focusing on the concept of a genetically engineered extraterrestrial creature. While Indian mythology contains a rich tapestry of mythical beings, any connections between "Species" and Indian mythology can be coincidental or based on individual interpretations.

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