This is a review of the film ‘Adipurush’ which has been timely to my posts on the very subject. I don’t know about others but this film came at very opportune time for me. I had been writing on this subject of Ramayana and the lessons it teaches since a year. Divided in between, the movie came based on this very epic to convey the message in visual form. When there is an effort to spread the tale, teachings of the ideal, idol, these representations in various forms helps reinforce the message. I sometimes feel if I am alone, crazy and writing for the thin air. You cannot just produce a clap with a single hand. But when there are many other hands willing to join and produce the ‘sound’, it makes out for a much more enriching mission. Though there are quite a number of films, serials on this very subject, the film at this moment complements my weekly efforts and I just went to watch for this very reason.
‘Adipurush’ is an attempt to reach mainstream audience with a simple story of Rama. There can be two types of genres – devotional film, commercial film. The tone of a devotional film is strictly to invoke the divine message in a holy, sanctified and solemn presentation. We can easily tell it is a devotional film to cater those audience who are seeking it. A commercial film has the elements catering to the mainstream audience with an intention to entertain and make money. ‘Adipurush’ is a movie on devotional, mythological subject which is treated commercially catering to mainstream audience. It can be said that the efforts have been made to bring the story of Rama to the masses in an engaging, entertaining way. The epic and the ideals which don’t evoke the interest of a marginal 10% has been brought to the median 50% in a ground which has been prepared through years of work. Ramayana has reached the prime-time, catering to everyday audience and this film hits home this very aspect.
We are living in those times where Ramayana is a new trend and a new avenue for everyone to follow those ideals. The film catered to this new opening in the society where a movie can be made with this subject, title involving huge money. The film released on 16th June and the first two-three days after the release conveyed the message of one of the biggest openings for an Indian film. It is all too good if the subject is Ramayana. The movies made on other devotional mythological subjects has the cash registers ringing in Telugu states three decades ago. But it can be the first for a subject on Ramayana to have this kind of adaptation, release and reaction. The embrace of the film by common man and the success just denotes the winds blowing in the favourable direction, since it is hard for subjects like these to penetrate deep into the society.
Coming to the movie itself, one can never anticipate the treatment of this holy subject in this way. The subject is intertwined with the beliefs of hundreds of crores of people through thousands of years. Treating this mythological epic not in a pious way but with a new adaptation, tremendous liberty and pull it off somehow takes a lot of courage; for people are always ready to pounce upon the prey with smallest of chance in these matters of faith and belief. Yesteryear mythologies are never seen but always felt. The makers take creative liberties in making their own adaptations without deviating from the story line. Breaking from the past and presenting with new age technology needs to be absorbed by the audience. One can never imagine the royal castle of Raavan to be as portrayed, Raavan and his sons to be white-skinned. But the new-age interpretations have them depict through new-age technology which is a visual feast to the eyes. Though the visual impressions of the epic may not be carried long outside the theatre, it certainly presented an immersive experience for the very moment.
The film doesn’t include the entire life of Rama but starts from Aranya Kanda and lasts till final battle in Yuddha Kanda, taking out important moments and picturizing them in a three hour duration. We can see the introduction fight of Rama with demons in exile, abduction of Sita by Ravana, fight with Jatayu, building an army with Sugriva, Hanuman, reaching Lanka and decimating Ravana. These important episodes are chronicled well with each and every scene carefully crafted with a lot of sense and meaning. The dialogues are good for Rama which should carry the message of epic to the audience. One catchy and impressive dialogue repeated is – ‘Wherever Rama is, victory lies there’. It is important for the epic in visual form to create an impact on audience beyond providing entertainment, for the ideals of Rama are countless. The portrayal of Rama by Prabhas and his dialogues ticks this box very well. Sita and Ravana are also very well played by the respective actors. One cannot leave but mention about the sound design which is very apt, loud and took the presentation to another level. The songs are good as well and the movie is made by investing lot of efforts in all departments. The graphics which are relied upon for a good part are top notch in many scenes. Needless to say, the teams collaborated well and pulled off a spectacular product.
I watched two movies in U.S. in the last year – Avatar and Adipurush. It is not known if it is coincidence that both are visual wonders and the 3D experience is an added bonus. I certainly would not have watched the second one if not for the subject and the realization you experience by writing weekly on the same. These concerted efforts from other sections will add strength to the conviction and prolong the work for a greater duration. Bringing the holy reign of Rama and the great days of his kingdom to the life of present-day populace will not be relegated to books for there is a great deal of efforts from many in that direction. The U.S. can take a leaf out of this epic and apply it in own way to lead a fulfilling, virtuous and righteous living. There need to be efforts in that direction to increase our longevity by adhering to the ideals of dharma. These same words are told, repeated and re-repeated till there is a visible progress in the world around us. The film is a vehicle to remind us of our work in that direction.
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