Review: Ramayana: Part 1: A Grand Visual Spectacle!
Indian cinema has revisited the epic Ramayana several times, with Ramanand Sagar’s iconic television series and films like Sampoorna Ramayana leaving an indelible impression on audiences across generations. However, bringing this timeless mythological saga to the big screen on an unprecedented scale is an entirely different challenge. Director Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana: Part 1, featuring Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Yash and Sunny Deol, attempts precisely that. Mounted on a staggering budget of approximately Rs. 2,000 crore for the two-part franchise, the film is undoubtedly one of the most ambitious cinematic ventures in Indian cinema. While the grandeur and scale are immediately evident, the real question is whether its storytelling matches its enormous technical ambition.
The screenplay is ambitious in its attempt to establish the characters, their relationships, the political dynamics and the circumstances leading to the epic conflict. However, the narrative occasionally becomes weighed down by excessive exposition and elaborate world-building. Rather than allowing the story to unfold organically, certain sequences feel more like an explanation of events than an engaging cinematic experience. The first half, in particular, takes considerable time to establish its universe, affecting the overall pace. Although the second half gathers momentum and offers several engaging moments, a tighter screenplay and sharper editing could have made the narrative considerably more compelling. The emotional depth associated with the Ramayana also deserved greater emphasis.
Nitesh Tiwari deserves credit for attempting to translate such a monumental epic into a visually spectacular cinematic experience. The production design, cinematography and breathtaking frames create an impressive mythological universe. The VFX and CGI, handled by DNEG, are ambitious and contribute significantly to the film’s larger-than-life appeal, although certain sequences could have benefited from more seamless visual integration. The collaborative musical score by A. R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer adds an international dimension to the film’s soundscape, enhancing several dramatic moments. The background score is particularly effective in building scale and atmosphere. The action sequences, eapecially the Ravana-Jatayu mid-air fight, are grandly mounted and provide the film with some exhilarating moments. The best part is that both the interval and the climax arrive without ever making you yawn!
- Performance-wise, Ranbir Kapoor brings dignity, restraint and sincerity to Lord Rama, while Sai Pallavi lends grace and emotional warmth to Sita. Yash emerges as a major highlight as Ravana, commanding attention with his imposing screen presence and intensity. Ravi Dube, Ajinkya Deo and others lend solid support.
Overall, Ramayana: Part 1 is a technically ambitious cinematic spectacle that offers moments of visual magnificence. Audiences will be eagerly waiting fot the second instalment.
Rating: ****
By Keerti Kadam