Om Raut’s much-anticipated film, ‘Adipurush’, an adaptation of Ramayana, has been met with widespread criticism from viewers for its problematic dialogues, questionable casting, and significant deviations from the original narrative. While some may argue that it’s a work of creative expression, the film has generated a wave of disappointment among audiences, particularly Gen Z, who feel that the iconic story has been handled recklessly and irreverently.
The Rs. 600 crore-budget movie, produced by T-series and Retrophiles, promised to be an epic retelling of Ramayana. But with its clunky dialogues, credited to Manoj Muntashir, and a storyline that strayed far from the source material, it ended up offending many viewers who were expecting an authentic and respectful depiction of one of our greatest epics.
An unpardonable caricature of the epic
Mainstream Bollywood has only produced three movies based on Ramayana, including ‘Adipurush’. The first, ‘Ram Rajya’ (1943), was a blockbuster hit, and the second, ‘Sampoorna Ramayana’ (1961), received high acclaim. Ramanand Sagar’s ‘Ramayana’ TV series, which set a high benchmark for adaptations of the epic, was watched by 77 million people across the world on 16 April 2020 during the lockdown.
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Unfortunately, ‘Adipurush’ fell far short of this standard, becoming an unfortunate caricature of the revered narrative, rather than an engaging retelling for a younger generation. Gen Z, particularly those in urban areas, may not be as deeply connected with our culture and scriptures as their predecessors. Therefore, ‘Adipurush’ could have been a golden opportunity to bring Ramayana to life for this demographic. Instead, the film not only missed the mark but potentially caused harm by presenting a distorted version of our culture to successive generations.
Modern Bollywood, with its seemingly indifferent or dismissive approach towards India’s divine and revered history, has done little to elevate or accurately portray our cultural heritage. This attitude, reminiscent of some self-proclaimed left-liberal intellectuals, reduces our profound history and epics to mere “mythology”. As a result, the only claim to fame they can boast is the largely disparaged ‘Adipurush’.
How Adipurush failed to strike jackpot!
Cinema is an influential medium that can demystify our complex culture and convey its essence to a global audience. Many Hindus hoped ‘Adipurush’ would do just that. However, the film has left us on the horns of a dilemma. Should we appreciate the effort that went into the production, ignoring the glaring factual inaccuracies? Or, should we voice our disappointment at the disregard for the sensitivity, respect, and accuracy with which Hindu epics should be approached?
It’s important to remember that box office success doesn’t hinge on a fat budget, popular star cast, or social media buzz alone. A sincere, ethical, and mindful approach to the subject matter is paramount. Audiences will reward a film that showcases their culture and reverence with due respect.
In the wake of the criticism, Manoj Muntashir defended the film’s controversial dialogues, suggesting that those taking issue were simply opposed to the chants of Jai Shree Ram. This defence seems dismissive of the core issue – the inappropriate language used to depict revered figures. Our youth understand the difference between casual and respectful language; there is no need to ‘dumb down’ the divine dialogue for the sake of mass appeal.
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The risk here is the potential mainstreaming of a distorted version of Ramayana and a deracinated depiction of our Gods. This not only disrespects our sacred narratives but also deprives Hindus of taking pride in their rich cultural heritage. In trying to make Ramayana more ‘palatable’ to a modern audience, ‘Adipurush’ may have done more harm than good, particularly to a generation that deserves a genuine understanding and appreciation of their culture.
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