New Delhi (20.12.2021): Vinay Sitapati's meticulously researched book on late Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao, aptly titled Half Lion, is set to be turned into an eponymous biopic.

Filmmaker Prakash Jha, who loves to produce politically-themed movies, is reportedly collaborating with Telugu film industry's celebrated filmmaker Allu Arvind to produce a web series on Rao who saved the country from an economic and financial disaster in 1991 and started off the reform processes that have turned Bharat into one of the major economies of the world.

Jha is clear why he chose Narasimha Rao for a web series. "When Rao took over, India was witnessing negative growth rate and defaulting in installments to IMF. We did not have even one week's money to pay for oil imports. When Rao completed his tenure in 1996, we had a growth of over 8 percent. Even his own party and people were cruel with this man who did not claim credit for his work but now, having understood, people have started talking about him. Through this web series, this gentleman will get his due for his contribution to this country."

Hopefully, the web series will stick to Vinay's story as told in Half Lion and not deviate much from the fundamental research based on primary sources he had undertaken before writing the book. The web series, if it sticks to Vinay's storyline, could show to the present generation of Indians that not too long ago, they had a PM who quietly and convincingly changed the fate for the better of their beloved country by pulling it out of a total and humiliating economic disaster by placing his faith in the undoubted individual capability of India and Indians.