Adipurush Review: A Disappointing Mockery Of The Epic Ramayana

Adipurush, the much-anticipated screen adaptation of the Indian epic Ramayana, promised to showcase the timeless battle between Good and Evil. Unfortunately, the film falls short of its ambitious goals and fails to deliver a memorable cinematic experience. Released on 16 June 2023, Adipurush received negative reviews from critics, who highlighted several flaws in the film.

Directed by Om Raut, the film follows the story of Raghav, the prince of the Ikshvaku dynasty, who, along with his wife Janaki and younger brother Shesh, is living in exile in the wilderness. Their peaceful life is disrupted when the demoness Shurpankha attempts to harm Janaki, leading to a chain of events that ultimately results in Janaki’s abduction by the demon king Lankesh. Raghav and Shesh, with the help of the Monkey King Sugriv, Bajarang, and their monkey army, embark on a journey to rescue Janaki.

Raut takes a unique approach to bringing the age-old tale of good versus evil to contemporary audiences by drawing inspiration from Marvel’s action-adventure formula. While the film attempts to offer a high-octane cinematic experience with thrilling action sequences, it fails to maintain a consistent balance between the epic storyline and the execution of the superhero verse. The dialogues, although aiming to capture the essence of epic heroes, often fall short and lack the desired impact. The narration in the first half feels bland and fails to evoke the emotional gravity that the Ramayana demands.

Despite the film’s shortcomings, the performances of Saif Ali Khan as Ravan and Prabhas as Ram stand out. Saif Ali Khan portrays Ravan with invincible presence and wicked mannerisms, while Prabhas delivers a heroic performance as Ram. The chemistry between Prabhas and Kriti Sanon, who plays Janaki, is commendable. Hanuman’s appearances on screen bring a positive vibe to the theatrical experience and energize the audience.

The visual effects and CGI in Adipurush are passable but fail to leave a lasting impression. The film relies too heavily on unnecessary 3D effects, which detract from its overall appeal. With a runtime of three hours, the film could have focused more on developing the revered characters and their unique qualities instead of relying solely on special effects. Despite the dramatic build-up, the climax lacks the expected sense of joy, reward, or victory.