“Ramayana” and “Mahabharata” have always been India’s greatest stories, passed down from generation to generation. You would be hard-pressed to find an Indian who isn’t familiar with these two epics.
Over the years, we have witnessed countless adaptations of Valmiki’s “Ramayana,” from the 1993 Japanese anime and various animated versions to Ramanand Sagar’s ‘Sampurna Ramayana’ and newer television adaptations. Each has managed to connect with audiences across generations. More than anything, I credit internet culture during COVID, when everyone collectively binged Ramanand Sagar’s rerun, for turning it into the most-watched television show in the world.
Then came ‘Adipurush,’ which painted a notoriously bad picture of what a Ramayana adaptation could look like. It convinced many that bringing the epic to the big screen was an impossible task. But enter Namit Malhotra, who promised to take Ramayana from India to the world on a global scale. Naturally, people were sceptical after witnessing such a terrible adaptation. I was present for the first look of Rama and was completely blown away by the imagery, only to come home and find people unfairly comparing it to ‘Adipurush.’ But as they say, the biggest silence you can put on the faces of your haters is a good product. Despite all the negativity, the film released internationally before arriving in India, and I am happy to report that it worked.
This is a rather strange way to start a review, I know, because you now already have an idea of my verdict. But let me assure you that alongside the praise, I will also highlight a few areas that could have been better. Even so, ‘Ramayana: Rise of a Legend,’ directed by Nitesh Tiwari, works.
The first part of Namit Malhotra’s ambitious Ramayana universe introduces us to Prince Rama, his exile and Ravana’s conquest, presenting the epic on a truly larger-than-life scale. The story opens with Ravana’s uprising, which is easily one of the best sequences ever put to screen. Yash absolutely knocks it out of the park. It almost feels as though all his previous roles, particularly ‘KGF,’ were auditions for this very character. His portrayal brings together ambition, physicality, anger and ego. He is powerful, royal and overflowing with pride.
What I particularly hoped for was that this wouldn’t simply turn into another good-versus-evil slugfest, but rather a battle of philosophies. None of us possesses all the qualities required to be Shri Ram, but every one of us has the potential to become Ravana through our own traits. Nitesh Tiwari and Yash capture this darker side of Ravana wonderfully, making him far more than just another antagonist.
Ranbir Kapoor portrays Shri Ram with grace, bringing a sense of calmness and wisdom to the character of the warrior prince. However, his performance occasionally feels as though he is performing the role rather than inhabiting it organically. On the other hand, Ravi Dubey nails Lakshman effortlessly, making it feel as though he has always belonged in this world. Sai Pallavi does a wonderful job as Maa Sita, presenting her not merely as the princess of Mithila but also as a warrior in her own right. Her action sequence against Surpanakha’s rakshasas is a major highlight.
And then there is Jatayu. Anupam Kher’s Jatayu might just be my favourite character of all time. The vulture is an absolute aura farmer, stealing the spotlight during the climax. As much as I loved Ravana’s uprising, Jatayu’s action sequence is right up there with it. I genuinely cannot wait to see what the filmmakers have in store for this character’s solo series.
The film is packed with energetic and visually stunning action sequences that rarely give you a moment to feel disengaged. From the war of the gods to Ravana taking over Kubera’s throne in Lanka, where you can genuinely feel his sheer strength through some brilliant choreography, the action is executed with tremendous conviction.
Visually, this might just be the best-looking film of the year. It is stunning, colourful, hopeful, dark and absolutely gorgeous all at once. Kumbhakarna receives a beautiful introduction, while the sequence depicting Ravana’s 10 faces is among the most creatively inventive moments put to screen.
More importantly, watching this film in 3D might be the first time I have genuinely enjoyed the format since ‘Avatar.’ The depth, the shots featuring the gods Brahma and Vishnu and the sheer visual canvas make IMAX 3D the ideal way to experience this spectacle. Technological advancements such as Brahma AI, which enables seamless lip-syncing across languages, also demonstrate just how far we have come in filmmaking.
However, the film isn’t without its shortcomings. Considering that the music comes from Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman, the soundtrack does a commendable job, but it never quite reaches the extraordinary heights one would expect from such a collaboration. The songs gradually grow on you, but they lack the grandeur and iconic energy associated with previous adaptations. The lyrics, too, often feel a little forgettable.
The editing is another interesting aspect. Condensing such a massive narrative arc into three and a half hours is no easy feat, and the film makes clever use of parallel storytelling. Sequences such as Ravana’s tandav playing alongside his uprising, or Manthara manipulating Kaikeyi while Kausalya expresses her love, are particularly effective. However, the film occasionally rushes through some of its most important moments. Emotional sequences could have been given more breathing room, certain motivations, such as the deer sequence, feel slightly unconvincing and conversations are often cut rather abruptly. For someone unfamiliar with the Ramayana, these transitions might make the narrative feel a little disconnected.
In the end, Namit Malhotra and Nitesh Tiwari have delivered a film that takes Indian cinema to an entirely different scale. When the film was screened for international audiences, the initial wave of negative reviews seemed largely driven by dissatisfaction with the English dubbing. Those who switched to the original Hindi version were far more appreciative of its cultural identity and originality. That, in itself, is a monumental win. It proves that embracing our native languages rather than constantly trying to cater to international audiences could pave the way for more high-budget Indian spectacles.
And if Jatayu gets this level of aura, I can only imagine how breathtaking Hanumanji will be in Part 2. ‘Ramayana: Rise of a Legend’ is a grand cinematic event and an absolute must-watch. Here’s hoping we get an extended four-to-five-hour cut for its home release, because I would happily spend even more time soaking in this world.
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