Bollywood actor Arya Babbar has embarked on a new career as he released his first comic book.
Arya launched his first graphic comic book titled Pushpak Viman, which, according to him, is a contemporary take on Hindu mythology.
“I like to write a lot. It is one of my stress busters. Moreover, I am a huge fan of mythological stories. I have been working on this book for the past three-and-a -half or four years. Pushpak Viman has been a major link between two biggest mythological epics Ramayana and Mahabharata,” said Arya during the comic book’s launch at the Oxford Book Store in Mumbai.
“I did a lot of research to get my facts right while I was writing the book. While most people know that after abducting Sita, Ravana had taken her to Lanka on the Pushpak Viman in Ramayana, not many know that in Mahabharata, Yudhisthira went to heaven on the same vehicle.”
The book, published by Vimanika Comics, is based on the journey of a mythological demon and the son of Drona, Ashwathaama.
After the battle of Kurukshetra, Ashwathaama was cursed by Lord Krishna to be stranded on earth forever, craving for salvation for the sins he committed.
Ashwathaama can’t accept that he shall not attain salvation and thus the journey of his endless life of pain starts and his only desire is to defeat Krishna.
However, he doesn’t realise that the key to his salvation is the Pushpak Viman, Arya writes in the book.
Set in contemporary times, the book tells the story of five youngsters who come together for an archaeological expedition, which leads them to the discovery of the Pushpak Viman. However, they are unaware that a mythological demon is still alive, seeking the divine aircraft for selfish reasons.
“I have shown my story to filmmaker Shekhar Kapur and he was really happy. He was the one who encouraged me to go ahead,” Arya said.