Ramayana - The Epic (3D) Review

The strength of 'Ramayana - The Epic' lies in the fact that it unfolds as a commercial action drama rather than one of those regular run of the mill animation affairs. While animation films usually get trapped in either bringing on those unwanted comic moments or a dozens of special effects laden action scenes (mainly to appeal to the kids), 'Ramayana' keeps its focus on drama by means of visuals rather than the other way round. Yes, there are action sequences but they are crisp and quick rather than being forced. And thankfully, there is no exponential multiplication of animated characters here to give the film a grand appeal, something which most animated films usually do.

Also, while the film is about Ram, it is Raavan who stays on with you once the movie's under-two hours run is through. Whether it is his own larger than life persona, his voice (Ashutosh Rana is very effective here), his punch phrase - 'Hum Raakshas Hain' ('Mogambo Khush Hua' anyone?), his bulging muscles or his attire - just about everything comes together to create an image which does justify his menacing character.

Credit it to the virtue of negativity being the selling point but the truth remains that 'Ramayana' largely works due to Raavan. It is this character that lights up the screen every time it appears in the narrative. No wonder, the makers too felt that this was the character that deserved most screen time. This is the reason why the film is lesser about Ram & Sita and more about Raavan. Does it turn out to be fun? Oh, of course yes and also makes you truly believe that this is a much better effort than Mani Ratnam's 'Raavan'.

In fact strong visuals is something that makes one firmly comment that this has to be the best animation film ever to have come out of Bollywood. Lavish in appeal, grand in presentation and detailed in its designing, the look of each and every frame in the film is such that it is difficult to take your eyes off. However, Lanka here is to be seen to be believed. Whether it is the towering exteriors or the massive indoors where the 'rajyasabha' is simply awe inspiring, the visuals turns out to be 'paisa vasool' here.

Director Chetan Desai has rightly taken for granted that the story is known to one and all due to which he has paced the film pretty fast. He hasn't spent time in any character built up or unnecessary melodramatic moments due to which the film unfolds in less than two hours. In fact at places you do feel that with such great visuals on screen, the duration of the film could have been little longer. However, what you get is something which is engaging and entertaining with a big screen appeal, which unfortunately has been missing from every animation movie coming out of Bollywood so far.

No, I won't say that tag along with your kids for this one. Reason being that this film hasn't been made from kids' point of view. This is a film which would basically appeal to adults more than kids and hence if you are going to watch the film, you could tag your kids along as well.

Rating: ***1/2