Why Ramayana and Mahabharata still inspire filmmakers | Bollywood

One of the most talked about films in recent months is Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana, which will be released in three parts. The film, which is touted to be a masterpiece, also stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravan, Sunny Deol as Hanuman, Vijay Sethupati as Vibhishan and Naveen Polishetty as Laxman. , a gathering of stars from the Indian film industry. Although there is no official confirmation regarding this, director Nitesh Tiwari was very confident about this project after ‘Adipurush’ failed at the box office. And now, Ram His Mandir in Ayodhya has also been consecrated and opened and the momentum and attention towards Lord Ram and the Ramayana has increased many times over.

How epics inspire

The Ramayana and the Mahabharata are two famous Indian epics that have inspired filmmakers for decades. Nitesh Tiwari may be the latest filmmaker to make a film based on the Ramayana, but the first film based on Lord Ram was 1917’s Lanka Dahan, written and directed by Dadasaheb Phalke. was. But it was his 78-episode Ramayan by Ramanand Sagar that captivated Indian audiences. This television series has become a phenomenon showcasing the culture and history of India and today, by popular demand, will soon be revived on Doordarshan National Broadcasting. The unimaginable success of Ramayan on DD led to his 94-episode Mahabharat series by BR Chopra and aired from 1988.

So, why do these epics, unlike other epics, grab the attention and love of the audience? Film journalist Bharath Kumar says, “Things that are deeply rooted in our culture are timeless.” Most people in India have grown up listening to the stories of Ramayana and Mahabharata. These epics are myths and the important characters in them are like our gods like Ram, Krishna and Hanuman. They have taught us many life lessons and the teachings from them are highly respected. The nostalgia and values ​​that these epics evoke are timeless. Even children can connect. ”

Emotions and new angles

But underlying it is the huge emotional connection that Indian audiences feel with the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Going back a few years, a re-broadcast of Ramayan was aired on Doordarshan on April 16, 2020, and a record 7.7 billion people watched the show across the world. Shortened to 2024, Ram Mandir was inaugurated on February 4, and in just 12 days more than 24 million people visited the temple in Ayodhya. Nostalgia and faith are his two powerful emotional tools to capture the emotions of the masses. But what makes a series of films based on mythology a blockbuster hit is what new angles are brought in to give the well-known story an exciting twist.

The recent Telugu blockbuster ‘Hanu Man’ directed by Prashant Varma showed us how a blend of epic and modern superhero genres can connect with the audience. The director told the media that he wanted to draw from Indian culture. “We wanted to make a superhero movie rooted in Indian culture and mythology. We took inspiration from Hanuman Ji, who is a symbol of strength, courage and dedication. We wanted to make a film that appeals to all age groups and showcases the power of Indian mythology,” Varma said.

Going back to Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayan, the last time this epic series was made, the story was told from Sita’s point of view. This time, director Tiwari has reportedly divided the film into three parts. The first part talks about Lord Ram and his family, marriage, kidnapping of Sita and the 14 years of Vanava family. The second part depicts the journey of Lord Ram, Lakshman, Hanuman, Vernal Sena and the building of Ram Setu. The third part focuses on the war between Vernal Sena and Ravana’s army, Ravana’s defeat, and Lord Ram and Sita’s return to Ayodhya. Most importantly, Nitesh Tiwari’s story gives something new to the audience while narrating this epic. Because it is these unexpected developments that keep the audience hooked.

The Ramayana and the Mahabharata continue to inspire filmmakers as they contain a lot of heroism, drama, action, emotion, love, betrayal, anger, etc. and create highly visual and captivating spectacles. Masu. And Indian audiences can’t seem to get enough of them.