Dussehra special: 'Raavan' to 'Lanka Dahan'—Ramayana film adaptations to watch
The Hindu mythological epic Ramayana has inspired numerous plays, novels, poems, films, and music for decades now. The universal story of the triumph of good over evil and the eventual victory of kindness over the wicked serves as a story that resonates with us every day, but more so on Dussehra. As India soaks in the celebrations, check out these films centered around Ramayana.
'Raavan'/'Raavanan' (2010)
Mani Ratnam's Raavan/Raavanan is a modern-day retelling of Ramayana and was made in Hindi and Tamil, respectively. While Abhishek Bachchan played the antagonist in the Hindi version, Chiyaan Vikram shouldered this role in its Tamil counterpart. The film turned the central Ramayana narrative on its head and focused on the fractured relationship between a married couple, with doubts and insecurities seeping in.
'Sita Sings the Blues' (2008)
Sita Sings the Blues, an animated American musical drama, was written, directed, produced, and animated by US-based artist Nina Paley. It borrows the central premise from the revered Hindu epic and, as the title suggests, zooms in on Sita's suffering post her banishment to the forest. Rotten Tomatoes says, "[The film] gives the Ramayana its animated due with a visually vibrant, dazzlingly imaginative triumph."
'Sri Rama Rajyam' (2011)
Recipient of seven Nandi Awards—presented by Andhra Pradesh's government—Sri Rama Rajyam starred Nandamuri Balakrishna, Nayanthara, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Vindu Dara Singh, and Srikanth. It was helmed by Bapu, who also co-wrote the Telugu-language devotional film. A reboot of the blockbuster Lava Kusa (1963), it was a critically and commercially successful venture and is now streaming on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, ZEE5, and JioCinema.
'Lanka Dahan' (1917)
Though Lanka Dahan's full video is, unfortunately, hard to come by now, this silent film was a pioneer in ways more than one. Directed by the father of Indian cinema, Dadasaheb Phalke, it reportedly had the first case of a double role in India, and both Ram and Sita were played by the same actor: Anna Salunke. Some short clips are available on YouTube.
'Ra.One' (2011)
Ra.One, an under-appreciated film when it was released in 2011 but now considered ahead of its time, played on the Ramayana characters' names. Ra.One (Arjun Rampal) was a manifestation of evil, while G.One (Shah Rukh Khan), also signifying jeevan (life), brought him down. SRK had also called it "Ramayana" and Ra.One, at its core, was about good triumphing over evil.
