What happens when one of the world’s oldest and most beloved epics gets the Hollywood blockbuster treatment? India’s Ramayana offers an answer: a sweeping cinematic spectacle that combines a thousands-year-old story, some of Bollywood’s biggest stars, cutting-edge visual effects, and music by two Oscar-winning composers—Hollywood’s Hans Zimmer and India’s A.R. Rahman.
Growing up in Kanpur, India the Ramayana was part of my everyday life. My grandmother would set me and my little brother down and tell us anecdotes from the epic. Our neighbors would recite the Hindi version (Ram Charit Manas by Tulsidas) of the Sanskrit epic in a 48-hour nonstop process; kids like me would also get a chance to read a few pages to audience. Every October, we would go the “Parade” ground where giant effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakrana and Meghnada would burst in flames and fireworks to the delight of children of all ages. Grandma reminded us that the “evil” ten-headed Ravana also had a good side. Twenty days after the “death” of Ravana, following the new moon (such as will happen on November 6 and 7), the town would celebrate Diwali (aka Deepawali), one of the top festivals in my home state of Uttar Pradesh.
Below is a summary of the Guardian’s review of the the $500 million investment by Namit Malhotra of Mumbai (his firm also did all the visual effects for Odyssey).
Director Nitesh Tiwari brings this celebrated Indian epic to the big screen with Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Yash as the formidable Ravana. The production aims to introduce a story familiar to hundreds of millions of Indians to a new generation of moviegoers around the world.
Based on the ancient Sanskrit epic, the story follows Prince Rama of Ayodhya, revered as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Just as he is poised to inherit his father King Dasharatha’s throne, a family promise changes his destiny. Rama accepts 14 years of exile in the forest, accompanied by his wife Sita and devoted brother Lakshmana.
Meanwhile, in the kingdom of Lanka, the powerful Ravana rules with extraordinary strength and fierce ambition. A series of encounters involving Ravana’s sister Shurpanakha sets in motion a dramatic conflict that culminates in Sita’s abduction and Rama’s determination to rescue her.
The film explores timeless themes of duty, honor, loyalty, sacrifice and the struggle between good and evil. Its sweeping landscapes, elaborate sets, mythical creatures and spectacular action sequences invite comparisons with Hollywood fantasies such as The Lord of the Rings and The Lion King.
What makes Ramayana especially noteworthy is its effort to bring a story deeply embedded in Indian civilization to a worldwide audience using contemporary filmmaking technology and international creative talent.
Presented in two parts, this ambitious adaptation demonstrates the growing confidence of Indian cinema to tell its own legendary stories on a truly global scale. The movie opens in American theaters tomorrow. My wife and I are going to a pre-screening tonight. Will this movie cross over to a Western audience? Ask me tomorrow.
