Ramayana Part 1 Movie Review: Epically The Most Spectacular, Ambitious, Historic and Unforgettable Cinematic Experience

Ramayana Part 1 movie review

‘Ramayana Part 1’ is based on which version of Ramayan? 

‘Ramayana Part 1’ is basically based on Valmiki’s Ramayan but traces of Adbhut Ramayana can be noticed ( Maa Sita as warrior princess). However, Nitesh Tiwari’s ‘Ramayana Part 1’ begins with Ravana – played by Yash and it explores the back story of Lord Shiva’s greatest devotee who appeases both Brahma and Shiva through his devotion and penance and becomes Ravana the invincible King of Lanka. Ravan defeats Indra – the king of lords which forces Indra to seek Lord Vishnu’s blessings and the sevent incarnation of Lord Vishnu is born as Ram – son of King Dashrath. Ram has four brothers – Laxman, Bharat and Shatrughan, Laxman is very dear to Ram and they both grew up receiving education and other skills from their guru, Vishwamitra. As we all know the story of Ramayan – the move also follows the same route slaying of Tataka and Subahu, Sita's Swayamvara, Mother Kaikeyi two promises from King Dasharatha, Rama, Sita Vanvas (exile for fourteen years) Laxman joins his dear brother, the insult to Shurpanakha, the princess of Janasthan and Ravana's sister, brother Khar-Dushana’s army of 14000 demons, abduction of Maa Sita and the fierce battle between Ravana and Jatayu.

‘Ramayana Part 1’ VFX and making

The visuals are out of the world that sets a new benchmark in Indian cinema’s story telling. DNEG has done something unexpectedly great, that can have any Hollywood or world global biggie run for their money.

Nitesh Tiwari has not just lived up to the expectations, he has surpassed them in ‘Ramayana Part 1’ as far as the VFX, scale and grandiosity is concerned. The story telling is perfect as ordered by the masters of epics like Ben -Hur from West and Mughal – E – Azam from east. Emotions, action, drama, backed by spirituality, history, ethics, culture and more giving a big experience hat will be remembered for ages.

Performances

Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram is outstanding, the simplicity and calmness compared to his macho male machismo image in ‘Animal’ sets an example in how to get into the skin of a character.

Ravi Dubey as Laxman is superb.

Rakul Preet Singh as Shurpanakha surpasses herself

Arun Govil as King Dasharatha is divine.

Lara Dutta is excellent. Ajinkya Dev is very good. Shishir Sharma, Adinath Kothare, Vivek Oberoi, Saurabh Sachdeva, Kunal Kapoor, Mukesh Tiwari, Sheeba Chaddha, Shobana, and Harish Uthaman add great value.

And last but not the least,

Yash as Ravana is simply mind blowing. The best work of Yash till date, Yash as Ravana commands attention in each and every frame he appears.

 ‘Ramayana Part 1’ drawbacks

Ironically, one of movie’s biggest asset – VFX at places becomes its drawback. The green screen turns evil and those demons and extra photogenic visuals do reduce some impact.

Sai Pallavi is a good actress but not fully fit to play Maa Sita.

A good section of the audience will draw cmparisions with Arun Govil’s iconic on screen avatar as Lord Ram in Ramanand Sagar’s ‘Ramayan’ that created history in the television industry. Ranbir lacks that purity and divine appeal.

A R Rahman has done injustice to the music and failed terribly in invoking any passion, devotion in his composed songs.

Background score by Hans Zimmer is good but not all over.

‘Ramayana Part 1’ movie review conclusion

As an Indian and or as a cinegoer we have watched Ramayana on stage, television, in animation, listened to what our parents and grandparents have said about the good virtues in ‘Ramayana’. Many must have even played Ram Leela as kids. Ramayana is a story that almost every Indian knows irrespective of the religion he/she follow.

Namit Malhotra and Nitesh Tiwari has brought that story to the wolrd in its most grandiose way.

We may have problems with is music, vfx etc but nobody can deny that ‘Ramayana Part 1’ is a glorious chapter in Indian cinematic history as far as presentation is concerned.

And if anyone doesn’t agree to this than he/she do not like epic or such cinema – the cinema, the reason our great great grandfathers, fathers and generations after generations have been visiting the theatres time and again.

Rating 4 stars (4/5)