I watched Ramayana, and I must say, it was brilliant. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience but there’s something I’ve been thinking about ever since I watched it. Can I really review the Ramayana? Because, for me, the Ramayana is not a work of fiction. It is our history, our heritage, and a part of our collective consciousness. Over the years, we’ve had countless retellings, interpretations, books and adaptations.
So, what exactly am I going to review? The story? The characters? The teachings?
Instead, I’d like to take this opportunity to share something personal. Back in January 2024, during the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, I had written a poem dedicated to Lord Rama.
I remember finishing the video, selecting the music and putting together the visuals by Friday. However, I still hadn’t managed to write the poem. I’d spent two entire days trying to find the right words, but in vain. I prayed to get the right words. Saturday passed. Sunday passed. By then, I had almost given up the hope of writing the poem.
And then, at the stroke of midnight, as Sunday turned into Monday, I saw a firecracker light up the sky. I looked up, and something extraordinary happened. I had a vision, and almost simultaneously, a barrage of thoughts and words began flowing into my mind, all I had to do was put them down on paper, and just like that, the poem was ready. I was overjoyed!
I often wonder, who am I to write about Lord Rama? I am only a mortal, with all my flaws and perhaps, some words are not written by us as much as they are channelled through us and that night, I was merely a conduit.
And that’s the reason why I want to share the same poem again, alongside this beautiful film.
I don’t want to dissect this movie into its performances, VFX, costumes, casting, action, music, or cinematography. I know these are important aspects of filmmaking, and they definitely deserve appreciation.
In my opinion, if this film manages to make even a few people curious enough to revisit the Ramayana, understand its teachings and practise its values, then I believe it has achieved something far greater than cinematic success.
Happy Diwali!