The Growing Controversy Over Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayan
The much-anticipated mythological project 'Ramayan', directed by Nitesh Tiwari, has once again landed in a fresh controversy. Ever since the initial promotional glimpses, teaser, and songs of the film surfaced, it has sparked massive debates across the country. Veteran actor Mukesh Khanna, famous for his iconic role as 'Shaktiman', has openly criticized the makers for their modern and action-heavy approach towards the characters.
Mukesh Khanna argued that in Indian culture and Hindu traditions, Lord Rama is revered as 'Maryada Purushottam', known for his calm demeanor, grace, and righteousness. However, the promotional cuts showing the protagonist jumping across trees and performing high-octane acrobatic stunts have deeply troubled traditionalists and senior artists who believe such depictions violate the core essence of the epic.
Why Mukesh Khanna Criticized the Action Sequence Portrayal
During a recent media interaction, Mukesh Khanna did not hold back his thoughts on how mythology is being adapted in contemporary cinema. He specifically pointed out the combat sequences where Lord Rama is seen fighting in mid-air and utilizing exaggerated action tropes.
"They have made Sri Ram a high-octane action hero. Was he ever portrayed like that in traditional texts? He is an avatar of God. But the fight sequences shown in the movie, where Sri Ram is flying and shooting arrows from trees, is something I have never witnessed in all the Ramayanas I have read or Ramleelas I have watched. They have turned him into a commercial superstar like Salman Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, or Rajinikanth." — Mukesh Khanna, Veteran Actor
He further elaborated that Lord Rama's battles were fought with divine grace and strategic righteousness rather than mindless, gravity-defying stunts akin to Western action characters.
Concerns Over Heavy VFX and Global Appeal
Apart from the character portrayal, Khanna also questioned the heavy reliance on computer-generated imagery and special visual effects. He expressed apprehension that international audiences might perceive the movie merely as a fantasy blockbuster or a sci-fi venture like 'Star Wars', completely missing the deep-rooted spiritual and emotional sentiment associated with the epic in India.
He emphasized that when filmmakers undertake a project of such humongous scale, maintaining cultural reverence and emotional sanctity should take precedence over commercial razzle-dazzle.
A Massive Scale and High Stakes for the Box Office
Mounted on a staggering estimated budget of around 4000 crore rupees, 'Ramayan' stands as one of the most expensive cinematic endeavors in Indian film history. The movie boasts an ensemble star cast featuring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Hanuman, and Ravi Dubey as Lakshmana. Planned as a two-part franchise, the first installment is slated to hit the silver screens during Diwali this year, while the second part is scheduled for a Diwali 2027 release.
As the debate intensifies between modern cinematic interpretation and traditional expectations, the true verdict of the audience will only unfold once the epic drama finally arrives in theaters.
