Anahita Rathore

#Ramayana : A Fantastic Film, Despite a Few Noticeable Flaws #RamayanaPart1 is a fantastic cinematic experience, deserving appreciation for its ambition, visual grandeur, technical brilliance and several strong performances. One of the film’s biggest strengths is its portrayal of women as confident, bold and determined individuals. Maa Sita, in particular, is presented as a brave woman, a warrior when required, and a matriarch trained in Yuddha Kala. However, Sai Pallavi disappoints in the role. Her performance lacks the grace, dignity and divine presence that Maa Sita demands. Even her dialogue delivery and expressions lack impact, particularly during the abduction sequence. In fact, none of the three portrayals child, teenage and adult Sita ji quite captures the divine personality expected of the character. On the other hand, Kajal Aggarwal as Mandodari, Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi, Rakul Preet as Surpanakha and Sheeba Chaddha as Manthara make good impressions despite limited screen time. Ranbir Kapoor is fabulous in the action sequences but somewhat underwhelming in the emotional portions. His facial expressions and lip movements occasionally become distracting. However, his brief appearance as Bhagwan Parshuram is remarkable. Yash is undoubtedly one of the biggest highlights as Ravana. Despite certain deviations from the Valmiki Ramayana, I am willing to give the makers creative liberty as this is Namit Malhotra’s interpretation. The sequence explaining Ravana’s ten heads and their respective traits is particularly impressive. Ravi Dubey is excellent as Lakshman and has genuinely changed my perception of him as an actor. Vivek Oberoi as Vidyutjiva is remarkable, while Arun Govil is convincing as Raja Dasharatha. One noticeable shortcoming is the bond between Shri Ram and Maa Sita. Their emotional connection and companionship do not come across as strongly as they should. Something is missing in their on-screen relationship. I believe Part 1 primarily serves as a foundation for Shri Ram’s journey, establishing him as a brave leader discovering his purpose and destiny. Perhaps Part 2 will be more Shri Ram-centric, as Yash’s Ravana occupies much of the spotlight in this instalment. The Mithila sequence deserves special appreciation. Its grandeur, illuminated diyas, vibrant colours and beautiful depiction of ancient Hindu culture and traditions are almost magical. The VFX, cinematography and overall technical execution are excellent, making the film a visual spectacle. Mukesh Chhabra also deserves credit for the casting of almost all the characters. Musically, the Hanuman Chalisa towards the end is a standout moment ,powerful, memorable and beautifully placed. However, the overall album and background score could have been considerably stronger. For Part 2, the makers should seriously work on Sai Pallavi’s presentation, expressions and dialogue delivery. The music and background score also need to be stronger, particularly considering the emotional intensity, rage and action expected in the next instalment. And finally, ignore all the nonsense circulating on social media. Watch the film with an open mind and judge it on its cinematic merits. Overall, a fantastic cinematic experience that deserves appreciation for its vision, scale and ambition. #RamayanaMovie #RamayanaReview