Ramayana: Rise of a Legend, released in theaters on November 5, attempts to translate the ancient Hindu epic into a modern CGI-laden blockbuster, drawing comparisons to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, the film more closely resembles the much-criticized Thor: Love and Thunder, particularly in its visual effects.
An early scene features the antagonist Ravana praying to Brahma, depicted as a disembodied constellation with an overly-expressive digital mouth. This effect is exacerbated by the film's English dub, which utilizes proprietary Generative AI technology named Brahma A.I. to synchronize lip movements with the dialogue. While this AI synchronization is being touted as a future of cinema, its current implementation results in exaggerated mouth movements reminiscent of comedy sketches. This technical choice contributes to an overall robotic feel in the adaptation.
The film, presented in a 162-minute cut for international audiences (the original Hindi version is 18 minutes longer), briefly explores the millennia-old text before adopting a didactic approach. It presents a rigid depiction of the epic's sprawling plot and the concept of "Dharma," or sacred duty, which characters verbalize frequently but follow uninspiringly. For those unfamiliar with the story, the plot follows the conflict between the demigods, the Devas, and the demons, the Asuras.
The narrative reimagines Ravana, the Asura leader, as a liberator corrupted by power. He initially seeks the ability to free his people from Deva oppression but escalates to violent conquest. This prompts the demigods to seek Vishnu, who reincarnates as the human prince Rama. The film dedicates nearly an hour to prologues establishing Rama's upbringing and preparation to defeat the Asuras, before the main conflict even begins.
A Divided Narrative
The decision to split the story leaves the film in a state of narrative suspension. It concludes just as Rama's journey to rescue his wife Sita is set to commence, creating an episodic experience where the protagonist and antagonist have minimal direct interaction. The film's success hinges on establishing Ravana and Rama as compelling enough characters to draw audiences back for the sequel.
Kannada superstar Yash delivers a strong performance as Ravana, portrayed as an anti-hero who worships Shiva and executes enemies with brutal efficiency. The film visualizes Ravana's traditional ten heads as a fractured personality, with ten distinct versions of the demon king conversing within his consciousness. This provides a semblance of complexity, contrasting with the film's otherwise binary depiction of good versus evil. The vibrant depiction of Ravana's kingdom, Lanka, further complicates the traditional hero-villain dynamic when compared to the austere portrayal of Rama's kingdom, Ayodhya.
Rama's character, however, is presented as an unengaging figure. Despite being described as virtuous and capable, his people's worship feels like a default setting rather than something earned. Ranbir Kapoor's portrayal is described as po-faced, fitting a dramatically dull interpretation of the hero. Rama's acquisition of weapons and knowledge often occurs through psychic unlocking by gurus, mimicking video game progression, with each new challenge involving fighting CGI monsters.
Sai Pallavi as Sita is given more agency than in some interpretations, but her character is often reduced to a damsel, sharing little chemistry with Rama. The film's attempt to leverage religious fervor through its marketing is undermined by minor controversies, such as Kapoor's alleged consumption of non-vegetarian food, a religious faux pas for some Hindu nationalist factions.
Visual and Musical Disconnect
Aesthetically, the film is a struggle. While costumes and sets offer visual grandeur in static moments, the action sequences are often bewilderingly frenetic and unfocused. Individual shots may be bold, but their rapid succession lacks coherence. The fantasy fights lack necessary weight, and attempts at humor, such as comic quips from Rama's brother Lakshmana, are met with awkward silence.
The musical score, a collaboration between Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman, features booming compositions but often lacks rhythm within the scenes it accompanies. The trimmed musical and dance sequences in the international cut further diminish the film's spectacle. The distracting AI-generated lip-syncing and the perceived tone of some characters' English dialogue, sounding like "whiny, posh South Bombay youngsters," further detract from the potential grandeur.
Despite fleeting moments of evocative suggestion and a climactic mid-air battle that manages to capture the imagination, these scenes do not involve Rama, leaving his character to promise a more coherent narrative in the sequel. Ultimately, while the film's success is likely assured in India and its diaspora due to the cultural significance of the Ramayana, it fails to provide a compelling introduction for newcomers. The film lacks the emotional hook and soul to compensate for its visual shortcomings and relies on underdeveloped technology, hindering its core dramatic potential.
Verdict: Ramayana: Rise of a Legend is a lavish adaptation that falls victim to clunky action, subpar CGI, and awkward AI lip-syncing in its English dub. The film, structured as "Part 1," concludes before the central narrative truly begins. While it briefly generates sympathy for the villain Ravana, its adherence to traditional good-versus-evil tropes and an uninspired portrayal of Rama prevent it from being a truly engaging experience for those unfamiliar with the epic.