Ramayana Review: A Grand Blend of Indian Mythology, Technology and Powerful Performances
The timeless story of Lord Ram returns to the big screen with a fresh cinematic vision in Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana, produced by Namit Malhotra. Based on the legendary Hindu epic, the film brings together Indian mythology, advanced visual effects and powerful storytelling to create a grand cinematic experience.
From the era of Ramanand Sagar’s iconic television adaptation to its various cinematic interpretations, the Ramayana has been presented in several forms.
The narrative opens with the legendary conflict between the Devas and Asuras, setting the stage for the rise of Ravana and the events that eventually lead to Lord Ram’s journey.
Following the victory of the Devas over Lanka, Ravana’s mother, Kaikesi, reminds him of his ultimate ambition: to conquer Lanka and establish his authority over the three worlds. Determined to fulfil his mother’s wish, Ravana undertakes intense penance and receives a boon of immortality from Lord Brahma. He subsequently returns to Lanka, defeats its inhabitants and takes control of the kingdom that once belonged to Kubera.
Meanwhile, a new chapter begins in Ayodhya, where King Dasharatha performs a sacred yagya.
As the princes grow older, Guru Vishwamitra approaches King Dasharatha and requests Ram’s assistance. His religious ceremonies are repeatedly disturbed by demons, including Tadka and Subahu, who attempt to destroy the sacred rituals by throwing flesh and bones into the yagya.
The story then follows Ram’s victories over the demons, his marriage to Mata Sita and his eventual exile from Ayodhya.
The film also explores the conflict between Ravana and Shurpanakha’s husband, Vidyut Jeev. Later, Shurpanakha becomes attracted to Lord Ram and expresses her desire to marry him. When Ram declines her proposal, the situation escalates, ultimately leading Lakshman to cut off her nose.
Direction and Performances: How Well Does the Cast Deliver?Bringing a familiar mythological story to the screen with a fresh visual approach is no easy task. Director Nitesh Tiwari manages this challenge with considerable confidence, maintaining a balance between the traditional values of the Ramayana and modern filmmaking techniques.
His vision is evident throughout the film, from the magnificent royal architecture of Ayodhya to the dense forests and the golden splendour of Lanka. The direction gives considerable importance to the visual presentation while ensuring that the emotional foundation of the story remains intact.
Among the performances, Ranbir Kapoor stands out as Lord Ram. His portrayal captures the character’s calm personality, compassion and self-control. Whether expressing kindness through subtle facial expressions or displaying the courage of a warrior during battle sequences, Ranbir handles both sides of the character convincingly.
However, Yash makes an equally powerful impression as Ravana and often commands the screen whenever he appears. His portrayal brings together Ravana’s arrogance, intelligence, ambition and extraordinary strength. His commanding screen presence adds intensity to the character, making several of his scenes particularly memorable.
Sharad Kelkar further strengthens the character through his Hindi voice performance as Ravana. His powerful voice adds weight to the dialogues, especially during the dramatic Dashanan sequence.
Sai Pallavi brings simplicity and natural charm to the role of Mata Sita. Her performance relies more on expressions and emotional depth than dramatic gestures. She effectively portrays Sita’s purity, patience and strength, both in emotional moments and during scenes requiring courage.
Ravie Dubey also delivers a convincing performance as Lakshman. He captures the character’s loyalty, playful nature and fierce devotion towards his elder brother.
Rakul Preet Singh looks impressive as Shurpanakha. Her royal appearance, costumes and jewellery complement the character, while the film gives her role sufficient screen presence.
Arun Govil performs well as King Dasharatha, while Lara Dutta brings the character of Kaikeyi to life. Kajal Aggarwal as Mandodari and Anjikya Deo as Vishwamitra also contribute effectively to the film.
One of the most emotionally engaging performances comes from Anupam Kher as Jatayu. His portrayal captures the character’s pain and dedication, making his scenes particularly moving.
Visual Effects, Action and Music: The Film’s Biggest StrengthsThe technical presentation is among the strongest aspects of Ramayana. Its visual effects, action choreography and background score contribute significantly to the film’s overall scale.
The battle sequences are particularly impressive, featuring elaborate combinations of weapons, chariots and military strategies.
The forest sequences also add depth to the film’s visual storytelling. The aerial battle involving Jatayu is another memorable highlight, combining action with emotional intensity. Meanwhile, the grand depictions of Ayodhya and Lanka create a striking contrast between the two kingdoms.
The background score plays an important role in establishing the atmosphere.
With Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman associated with the film’s music, expectations are naturally high. Although the background score supports several important sequences, the overall musical impact could have been stronger.
What Doesn’t Work in Ramayana?Despite its impressive production scale, the film has a few shortcomings.
Some significant episodes receive limited screen time, leaving little opportunity to explore their emotional and narrative depth. The background of Janakpur and the emotional exchange involving Kevat, for instance, could have benefited from more detailed treatment.
Similarly, the relationship between Mata Kaushalya and Ram does not receive enough attention. Their interactions could have added greater emotional depth to the narrative.
The music also does not consistently meet the expectations created by the involvement of Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman. Additionally, some supporting characters do not get sufficient opportunities to develop their roles fully, which limits the emotional impact of their appearances.
Ramanand Sagar’s television adaptation of the Ramayana remains a memorable part of Indian entertainment history. With this new version, director Nitesh Tiwari and producer Namit Malhotra attempt to bring the timeless epic to audiences through a three-hour cinematic experience.
The film deserves appreciation for its ambitious scale, detailed visual presentation and efforts to combine traditional mythology with modern filmmaking technology.
Although certain episodes could have received more attention and the music leaves some room for improvement, the film succeeds in creating an impressive mythological world.
Ramayana is more than a conventional mythological drama. It is a large-scale cinematic presentation of an important Indian epic, bringing together faith, technology, action and emotion.