Animal Kingdom🐲

🎬 RAMAYANA - REVIEW THE GREATEST TRIUMPH IN INDIAN CINEMA. I have always believed that stories deeply rooted in our civilisation, culture and collective consciousness deserve to be told on the grandest cinematic canvas possible. They deserve scale, ambition, devotion and, above all, an extraordinary commitment from the people bringing them to life. Over the years, we have heard plenty of talk about ambitious adaptations of our epics, but rarely witnessed the conviction required to bring them to life. I had my share of scepticism about Ramayana too. But this film genuinely hits different. The sheer scale of Nitesh Tiwari and Namit Malhotra's vision is extraordinary. From the breathtaking landscapes to the grandeur of its world-building, Ramayana attempts something Indian cinema has rarely witnessed. Yet, my biggest concern was whether it would connect emotionally, because if it got that right, everything else would become secondary. Fortunately, it passes that litmus test. Beneath the spectacle lies a compelling emotional core that gives the film its soul. Nitesh Tiwari deserves immense credit for bringing the human elements of this epic to life while shouldering its enormous cultural and spiritual responsibility. Namit Malhotra, meanwhile, deserves equal appreciation for backing this ambitious vision, assembling global talent and investing in world-class technical expertise to take Indian storytelling to the global stage. The greatest mortal man to have ever walked this earth, Prabhu Shree Ram, deserves nothing less than the finest portrayal, the finest talent and an extraordinary labour of love, devotion and surrender. Bringing a character of such immense cultural, spiritual and emotional significance to life demands far more than acting prowess. It requires a deep understanding of the man behind the divinity. And #RanbirKapoor seems to have truly risen to that occasion. What I particularly appreciate about the portrayal of Prabhu Shree Ram is its emotional depth. He isn't presented as an emotionless figure who remains perpetually calm. Rama experiences anger, grief, love, frustration, vulnerability and anguish. When Maa Sita is abducted, you can feel his devastation, helplessness and anguish. These emotions make his portrayal deeply human and bring out the human side of this revered figure. Even in the battle sequences, Rama is portrayed as a warrior fighting formidable forces rather than an all-powerful divine figure who can simply snap his fingers and end a battle. You feel the physical struggle, intensity, courage and human effort behind every fight. Because what makes Rama extraordinary is not the absence of human emotions or limitations, but his ability to rise above them, exercise restraint and remain unwavering in his commitment to Dharma. On the other hand, #Yash brings an extraordinary sense of menace to Ravana. His pride, ego and unrestrained rage are constantly visible. He has the kind of presence that makes you believe he could destroy anyone who dares to challenge him. Yash has absolutely OWNED Ravana. His screen presence, physicality and commanding persona make him an imposing force every time he appears. Sharad Kelkar as the Hindi voice is simply masterful casting. I had absolutely no doubts about him. His voice adds another layer of menace and gravitas to Yash's already formidable presence. Sai Pallavi, unfortunately, didn't quite work for me in several portions, despite her acting abilities. I particularly appreciate the decision to portray Mata Sita as a warrior, an often-overlooked facet of her character. Parshuram's portrayal and sequence could also have been considerably more impactful, while Ravi Dubey brings Lakshman to life. The highlight, however, is the Jatayu versus Ravana sequence. The choreography, visual effects, scale and sheer imagination make it one of the most technically impressive action sequences I have witnessed in Indian cinema. DNEG has absolutely cooked. The Jatayu–Ravana battle is a glorious cinematic triumph, one that deserves a place in the history of Indian cinema. The music by A.R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer, however, didn't quite live up to my expectations. Given the stature of these composers and the scale of the project, I was hoping for something considerably more memorable and emotionally stirring. Unfortunately, the score doesn't always rise to the occasion or elevate certain scenes to the level they deserve. I genuinely hope #Ramayana opens doors for many more stories from our folklore, civilisation and history. We have an extraordinary treasure trove waiting to be explored, and these stories deserve this level of ambition, investment and cinematic treatment. For me, Ramayana is more than an ambitious adaptation. It is a statement of intent and a significant step towards taking our civilisational stories to the world. It demonstrates what Indian cinema can achieve when conviction, imagination, resources and world-class technical expertise come together. This is the kind of cinema our stories deserve. Jai Shree Ram 🙏