Ramayana The Legend of Prince Rama review: Animation That Heals Past Wounds
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Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama Review: Many of us grew up watching Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama on Doordarshan and YouTube, whether in its Hindi version or the English dub, and we have appreciated both. This raises the question of the necessity of its theatrical release today. Nostalgia certainly plays a significant role, as evidenced by the numerous re-releases of classic films. However, The Legend of Prince Rama offers much more than just nostalgia. Experiencing Yugo Suko's groundbreaking animation in 4K on a large screen is a compelling reason to visit the cinema. While the new dub features fresh voices, it does not detract from what is arguably the finest adaptation of the Ramayana ever produced.
The film presents a segment of the Ramayana, concentrating on the events from Lord Rama's exile to the abduction of Sita, culminating in the battle between Sugreeva's vanara army and Ravana's demons. This is a narrative that resonates deeply with most Indians. The film successfully captures the essence of the Ramayana, combining its simplicity with animation that has proven timeless.
Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama remains timeless
Despite its original release in 1992, the film does not feel outdated. The animation retains its freshness, and digital remastering has ensured that it looks just as impressive on the big screen today. The visuals have always been a strong point of the film since its initial airing on Doordarshan three decades ago, and they are even more striking in a theatrical setting. It effectively alleviated the disappointment I experienced after watching Adipurush a couple of years ago.
The dubbing in this adaptation is fresh. For those who grew up listening to Amrish Puri's deep voice as Ravana, Arun Govil's smooth tones as Lord Rama, and Shatrughan Sinha's powerful narration, the initial experience may feel disconcerting, primarily due to the unfamiliar faces accompanying the well-known visuals. However, the dubbing itself is not subpar; it has simply been modernized. It possesses a heightened sense of drama and cinematic quality. It is important to recall that the original dubbing emerged from a time when Ramanand Sagar established a standard with his straightforward portrayal of the epic. The new version, in contrast, offers a more cinematic allure.
The narrative's simplicity remains intact, as the dubbing enhances the animation rather than competing with it. The songs, which have resonated with Indian millennials, may also seem somewhat unfamiliar. We encounter the Sanskrit renditions of beloved tracks such as Janani Main Raamdoot Hanuman and Vaanar Sena, rather than the more commonly known Hindi versions. Nevertheless, Vanraj Bhatia's music remains a soothing presence, and the songs integrate seamlessly into the overall experience. For those unfamiliar with the original version, there is little to criticize.
Wish there was a bit more nuance though
However, a touch more nuance would have been appreciated. While The Legend of Prince Rama may stand as one of the finest adaptations of the Ramayana, it is not without its shortcomings. It presents a rather simplistic view of the epic, overlooking Ravana's wisdom and depicting him solely as a malevolent asura. Additionally, it omits Sita's agni-paksha, which simplifies the narrative but sacrifices some of the depth that any retelling of the Ramayana requires.
If I were to express a single grievance regarding this long-awaited release (beyond the fact that it has taken 33 years to debut in India), it would be that not every film necessitates an intermission. This particular film could have been effectively presented without them.
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