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, PTI reported from Mumbai.

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’ (213).

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 showrunner.

Kapur, best known for Cate Blanchett-helmed English period movie ‘Elizabeth’ and ‘Bandit Queen’, based on Indian bandit-turned-politician, 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”.

“It’s not just mythology, it’s modern storytelling at its best. Lending itself to a beautiful international series,” the filmmaker said in a statement.

The studio will follow a series adaptation of the Shiva trilogy with the political thriller ‘Gods’, to be directed by Dibaker Banerjee, and ‘The Kitty Party’, a dramedy, which will mark the directorial debut of Zinta, known for films like ‘Dil Se..’, ‘Dil Chahta Hai’, and ‘Veer-Zaara’.