Cinema VinesThe buzz around Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming epic began not with its staggering budget or star‑studded cast, but with Ranbir Kapoor’s appearance as Lord Rama. Within hours of the first teaser, social media erupted in debate: some applauded the film’s visual ambition, while others argued that Kapoor’s contemporary look made him a mismatch for the divine hero. The controversy extended to Sai Pallavi’s portrayal of Sita, with critics questioning whether the actress could embody the “divine aura” traditionally associated with the character.
Despite the scrutiny, the project, backed by producer Namit Malhotra of Prime Focus and the Oscar‑winning VFX studio DNEG, is poised to become one of India’s most expensive films, with a reported budget of ₹4,000 crore. The two‑part adaptation will feature a star‑packed ensemble that includes Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Yash, Sunny Deol and Ravi Dubey. Musically, the film marks a landmark international collaboration, pairing German maestro Hans Zimmer with Indian composer A. R. Rahman.
Film critic A Chandrasekhar explains why the Ramayana continues to be retold: “There’s nothing wrong with retelling a classic. The question is how you interpret it.” He draws parallels with other enduring tales such as Dracula and Homer’s Odyssey, noting that each generation finds new meaning in these stories. Chandrasekhar points out that Indian cinema has a long history of revisiting the epic, from Dadasaheb Phalke’s 1917 silent film “Lanka Dahan” to the 1970s television phenomenon “Ramayan” by Ramanand Sagar, which united millions of viewers on Sunday mornings.
Recent adaptations have also sparked discussion about modernizing mythological narratives. The animated “Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama” gained a devoted fan base, while Om Raut’s “Adipurush” reignited debates over how best to adapt the epic for contemporary audiences. According to Chandrasekhar, the success of these films rarely hinges on literal fidelity; instead, each filmmaker brings a fresh perspective, ensuring that no two Ramayana movies are identical.
Malayalam cinema, in particular, has taken a different approach, opting for subtle, introspective reinterpretations rather than direct retellings. The most celebrated example is G. Aravindan’s “Kanchana Sita,” which draws on CN Sreekantan’s work to offer a quiet, nuanced take on the epic.
