‘Ramayana: Rise of a Legend’ – Spectacle cinema that will win hearts over time… (review)
India has not seen anything quite like it and nor has the world but the hype now must give way to actual viewing and assessing…
FIRSTLY – we didn’t see the film at a formal press screening – more one where we were invited to view ahead of our interviews with the cast and the folks behind this film.
It was the English dubbed version – which is shorter than the Hindi language one and features the actor’s own voices but their facial expressions have been synced by AI to look authentic.
This is not really a problem or an issue – what is, is the missing minutes between this and the full length Hindi version – in this, some scenes are shorter, especially the musical sequences and can anyone tell us whether Lord Hanuman (Sunny Deol) makes an appearance in this, the first instalment of what is a two-part franchise. In this, the English version, there is just a fleeting teaser…
All that apart, this is spectacle cinema as you may never have seen it before – brown people at the very centre (for a start) and there are shades and influences of many great films – not least for this critic, ‘Baahubali: The Beginning’ (2015) – it’s like producer Namit Malhotra and director Nitesh Tiwari sought inspiration and then some.
The action scenes are terrific – especially the final one involving Jatayu, the giant friendly and loyal vulture taking on an increasingly despotic and determined Ravana, played with such force and magnetism by South Indian film icon, Yash – you quiver from the sanctity of your cinema seat – his performance is stunning and you cannot take your eyes away from him when he appears on screen.
He exuded a very different form of charisma in person – when we interviewed him. Gentle, thoughtful, humble. He was so impressive – and his name is only going to grow with this.
In a movie of this length and with such a familiar story to many Hindus – there are short periods where it dips a tad – but fear not, this is entertaining, absorbing and powerful fare, for the most part.
Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram is earnest, a little humourless and constantly surprised by the actions of those around him. Aren’t we all?
He looks like he might burst into tears at any point and has a slightly pained look when confronted by evil deeds and his unfortunate destiny – as it is written – exile, his wife (Maa Sita, played by emerging South superstar Sai Pallavi) abducted by his angry opponent in the kingdom of Lanka, Ravana and all the death and destruction this King leaves in his wake. Kapoor’s performance too will grow on you and so too will that ‘stoicism’ (aware of a certain irony) – his ability to endure, accept and progress following his rightful duty.
This film has a deep core and we may be a little biased but it grows on you – even when you leave the cinema.
The portrayal of a man (not really a god at the beginning) is well charted and lies at the heart of the story – literally everything is set out to defeat him – and yet he finds courage and conviction and grows along the way. There is a good trio of chemistry between Kapoor, his on screen wife, Pallavi and Lakshman, his dutiful and charming brother – played superbly by Ravi Dubey.
Malhotra and Tiwari have pulled it off – the special effects ARE special and so too are the demons, the giant ugly humans and mention must go here too for Jatayu – the giant vulture who tries to save Maa Sita from being abducted by Ravana.
This is a beautiful and riveting film in many ways – perhaps the emotion especially for Indian cinema is a little subdued even.
The music is solid – AR Rahman and Hollywood score supremo Hans Zimmer have collaborated well – though we feel like the English dubbed version left us a little short there.
We can’t wait to see it again! It deepens and pulls you in many days afterwards and makes you want to revisit several scenes, not just in your head.
It looks as though India generally has charmed to it (over this Diwali weekend) – those willing to be open minded and view it, first and foremost, as a piece of cinema and storytelling, should appreciate it.
Will it break beyond India’s borders is a more difficult question to answer – the best of Indian cinema in terms of imagination and action is here – though there have been many detractors – to them, we say go see it on the big screen and then decide.
This is the first part and is beautifully set up for the second and final instalment. We may have to wait a whole year for that…
We came out thinking it was a three star film – but as time goes on, even this English version climbs increasingly to a comfortable four – second time around it may be even better and a five out of five. You have been warned.
Some folks, like this bird, are going to see it more than once…
ACV rating: **** (out of five).
‘Ramayana: Rise of a Legend’ is out now (November 6) everywhere…
All pictures courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing UK
Interviews
Video cover photographs: Mathusaa Sagthidas
