Director Om Raut’s ambitious project, Adipurush, headlined by Prabhas, Kriti Sanon, Saif Ali Khan, Sunny Singh, and Devdatta Nage, aimed to bring the beloved Indian epic Ramayana to life on the big screen. While the filmmakers deserve credit for undertaking such a monumental task, the execution of the film fails to live up to the audience’s emotionally and spiritually invested expectations.
The plot of Adipurush begins with a powerful introduction to Raavan, establishing his might and supremacy. The narrative then transitions to the exile of Raghav and Janaki in the forest, where they face daily challenges. Their difficulties escalate when Shurpanakha approaches Raavan, seeking revenge on Ram for rejecting her and urging her brother to abduct Sita. What follows is Raghav’s collaboration with Bajrang and Sugriv to rescue his wife from the clutches of the demon king.
One commendable aspect of Adipurush is director Om Raut’s sincere attempt to narrate the entire story of Ramayana within the film’s 179-minute runtime. He strives to include as many important elements from the original text as possible, and this effort is evident on screen. However, in his endeavor to encompass the detailed story in a limited timeframe, the filmmaker rushes the screenplay, depriving the audience of the opportunity to truly feel the emotions.
The standout aspect of Adipurush is its remarkable background music composed by Sanchit Balhara and Ankit Balhara. The music breathes life into the narrative, enhancing even the sequences that required better writing and execution. Director of photography Palani Karthik captures some beautiful shots, particularly those set in the woods. However, the excessive use of wide shots, especially in the second half, could have been restrained. The VFX is above average, and the music by Ajay-Atul leaves a lasting impact.
On the downside, the screenplay and dialogues penned by Manoj Muntashir Shukla leave much room for improvement. Certain lines trivialize the dignity of the story, while the editing could have been refined to improve the film’s pacing. The second half, which moves too quickly, detracts from the overall narrative and ultimately makes the climax underwhelming. Additionally, the final fight sequence between Ram and Raavan, choreographed by action directors Ramazan Bulut and Pradyumna Kumar Swain (PK), falls short of expectations.
One major disappointment in Adipurush is the portrayal of Raavan. The character is reduced to a mere demon king, lacking the depth, intellect, and skills that make him a more well-rounded figure. Consequently, the character appears caricaturish and fails to be taken seriously. Furthermore, the depiction of a dark and brooding Lanka also falls short. Costume designer Nachiket Barve could have done more justice to all the characters, particularly Raavan.
In terms of performances, Prabhas as Raghav delivers a limited performance with constrained expressions. However, he shines in two sequences where he motivates his army. Kriti Sanon as Janaki fulfills her role well, delivering a balanced performance, although her screen time feels insufficient. Saif Ali Khan excels as Raavan in terms of expressions, but the overall body language falls flat. The portrayal relies on a Hulk-like walk, which fails to establish a genuine connection with the character. Sunny Singh as Lakshman appears restricted in his performance, while Devdatta Nage as Bajrang and Vatsal Sheth as Indrajit deliver commendable performances.
In conclusion, Om Raut’s Adipurush is a sincere
attempt at adapting the epic Ramayana but falls short in execution. The film’s writing is its biggest letdown, and it could have fared much better if it were divided into two parts, allowing for a more immersive and fulfilling experience for the audience.