Adipurush Movie Review: A Bollywoodized Ramayana that Falls Short of Epic Expectations

Director: Om Raut

Producer: Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Om Raut, Prasad Sutar, Rajesh Nair, Vamsi, Pramod

Release date: June 16, 2023

Rating: 2.5 / 5 stars

Get ready for our take on Om Raut’s highly anticipated adaptation, Adipurush! This modern retelling of Ramayana has generated a lot of buzz, but let’s see if it lives up to the hype.

Unfortunately, the film falls short in terms of its mediocre VFX and occasionally unintentionally humorous dialogue. Adipurush seems to have borrowed elements from various popular franchises like Avengers, Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, and even a dash of Temple Run. While it’s ambitious to draw inspiration from these giants if this is director Om Raut’s best interpretation, perhaps revisiting the original tale would be more satisfying.

The narrative lacks proper character development and skips over essential details about Ayodhya. Ram, Lakshman, and Sita’s 14-year vanvaas (exile) are quickly introduced, followed by Raavan’s disguise as a sadhu and the subsequent kidnapping of Janaki, setting the stage for the unfolding drama.

Though there are brief glimpses of significant episodes from the Ramayana, they come and go without leaving a lasting impact. Moments like Shurpanakha’s nose being cut and the encounter with Shabri are included but fail to make a strong impression. The film only gains momentum in the second half when Raghav begins building Ram Setu and leads his army to Lanka.

Adipurush boasts a massive budget of 600 crores, allowing for a grand-scale production. However, the film falls short in providing nuanced characters and often veers into cartoon-like portrayals. Prabhas delivers a convincing performance as Lord Ram, but his stiff facial expressions are a letdown. Kriti as Sitaimpresses the audience with her captivating screen presence, especially in her confrontations with Raavan. Sunny Singh shines in his limited screen time, particularly in action-packed sequences with Vatsal Seth as Meghnath. Sonal Chauhan’s role as Mandodri, Raavan’s wife, is disappointingly limited.

The music of Adipurush, composed by Ajay-Atul and Sachet-Parampara, is the soul of the film. The background score, particularly the rendition of “Jai Shri Ram,” is spine-tingling. “Ram Siya Ram” also holds its charm, while “Shivoham” stands out visually with Lankesh playing a musical instrument in his home.

While Adipurush is undoubtedly an ambitious effort, it falls short in several aspects and fails to capture the core essence of this epic tale. Even if it aims to cater to a younger audience, there’s no excuse for presenting a subpar adaptation when the timeless original still holds its allure. Adipurush is worth experiencing in theatres for its grandeur and immersive 3D effects, despite the characters’ one-dimensional appearances.

So, buckle up, grab those 3D glasses, and get ready for a visually spectacular ride, even if the characters don’t quite match the magnificence of the world they inhabit.