Storyline: Director Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana Part 1: Rise Of A Legend starts off when Asuras face a drubbing defeat by the Devas. Hence, they live in extreme poverty and helplessness in Lanka while Kubera rules over them. Dashanana’s (Raghav Malhotra) mother Kaikasi (Shobana) is sad to see him unperturbed by their condition and encourages him to do something for the rise of the Asuras. Hence, Dashanana carries out intense penance for years to please Lord Brahma and gets a boon of almost immortality. He then becomes the mighty, powerful and ruthless king of Lanka, Ravana (Yash).

Ravana and his army create havoc in the three worlds. When the situation becomes too out of hand, Lord Vishnu takes birth as Dashrath (Arun Govil) and Kaushalya’s son, Rama (Ranbir Kapoor). Dashrath is blessed with three more sons – Lakshmana (Ravie Dubey), Bharata (Addinath Kothare) and Shatru – from his other three wives. Rama and Lakshmana become experts in warfare and scriptures. After growing up, Rama is married to the daughter of King Janaka, Sita (Sai Pallavi). His three brothers also tie the knot simultaneously.

Rama and Sita share deep love for each other. Rama is about to be crowned the king of Ayodhya. However, due to an old vow given to his step-mother Keikeyi (Lara Dutta) by Dashrath, Bharata is made the king and Rama is sent for 14 years of forest exile. Sita and Lakshmana also join him. It is during the exile period when an incident brings Ravana’s entry in Rama and Sita’s life.

Review: Even if you haven’t seen Ramanand Sagar’s classic television show Ramayan, there is a high chance that you already know the story of the epic if you have been staying in India, irrespective of your religion. Hence, one can’t expect anything novel or mysterious from Nitesh Tiwari’s retelling of the same. In such cases, the makers have to make sure that the audience enjoys the predictability.

This surely happens in Ramayana due to various reasons. It’s an out-and-out massy retelling of the epic in the grandest manner possible. The scale, visuals of various locations (interiors and exteriors) monster-like creatures, objects, etc, are highly appealing on the big screen. There was a lot of chatter about the film’s VFX from the promotional material. However, barring a few instances, the film’s visual quality is impressive, which is further enhanced by 3D.

This has been largely possible because of Pankaj Kumar and Mahesh Limaye’s cinematography, Huzefa Lokhandwala’s editing and AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer’s background score.

The narrative is fast-paced with proper compilation of the events of the epic. The initial part about Ravana’s back story wins you over. The subsequent events like Sita’s Swayamvar, the events leading to the banishment and the kidnapping also keep you fully engaged.

However, it seems like in order to make the film fast-paced, a few incidents are hurriedly narrated. This is felt in the all-important conversation between Dashrath and Kaikeyi about the former’s vow and the love story between Rama and Sita, which needed more depth.

The other flipside is the song compositions of AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer. Apart from the highly impressive Ravana theme track, none of the song make a major impression. ‘Jai Jai Ram’, which has been promoted, only has a fleeting appearance. Perhaps, that song would have added to the love track of Rama and Sita. It’s ironical that a film that celebrates Rama gave the best song to Ravana’s character.

Rimple and Harpreet Narula’s costume match the scale of the film, except on few occasions where the attire of Sita and Kaikeyi appear a bit modern. Ravi Bansal and Ramsey Avery’s production designing is apt for various worlds explored in the film.

The performances are mostly positive. Ranbir Kapoor succeeds in showing humility and controlled aggression, the most vital qualities of Lord Rama. He is also impressive during the action sequences. Sai Pallavi matches up to him with a sincere act as Sita. Yash is remarkable as the fearful Ravana. He is specifically noteworthy in the first 30 minutes or so. Ravi Dubey impresses in various scenes with his wit. Arun Govil is likeable as Dashrath. You are never reminded of his act as Rama in the TV show Ramayan. Lara Dutta and Sheeba Chadha, as Kaikeyi and Manthra, are believable.

Rakul Preet Singh makes good of the opportunity to play Surpanakha. Addinath Kothare brings a sincere act as Bharata. Indira Krishnan (Kaushalya), Kajal Agarwal (Mandodari), Sonal Jha (Sumitra), Raghav Malhotra (young Ravana) and Nitish Sharma (Shatrughna) are okay in limited roles. Veteran actress Shobana does well as Kaikasi. Vivek Oberoi provides a decent act as Vidyutjihva. The rest of the actors chip in with good to satisfactory acts. Raghav Juyal’s glimpse as Meghnad piques curiosity.

Overall: Ramayana Part 1: Rise Of A Legend is a massy retelling of the celebrated epic that is ideal to watch in IMAX 3D. The film ends on a high with a glimpse of Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Director: Nitesh Tiwari

Producers: Prime Focus, DNEG and Monster Mind Creations

Writers: Valmiki (original story), Shridhar Raghavan, Nitesh Tiwari and Shreyas Jain

Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Yash, Ravie Dubey, Arun Govil, Rakul Preet Singh, Lara Dutta

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