The Ramayana teaser set the internet ablaze today. There have been mixed reactions, mine included, and here is why.
Firstly, expectations are sky-high, and most of this is due to the producers claiming that they have a budget of 4,000 crore rupees allocated to the project (2 movies). And this has been repeated not once, not twice, but every time Namit (the producer) found himself in front of a mike.
They also claimed that the effects would put Avatar to shame – now that’s the highest bar that you could set for yourself, and the only way is down.
So when the first glimpse of the product actually releases, people naturally compare what they see to what they heard. Not that the teaser is bad, but it falls short of mammoth expectations.
Secondly, the asuras look more Middle Earth Lord of the Rings wale – wonder why…the music is also bland – Hans Zimmer is the best there is…in Hollywood. The requirement here is different, and even Rahman is not the best choice. Maybe too early to say, but like I mentioned – sky high expectations!
Thirdly, why does Rama have to be an acrobat as well – flying around to fly arrows, the lesser Tiger Shroff type gymnastics the better. Arun Govil (the OG Rama) did none of this (nor could he, if you think of it) and still captivated a nation.
And lastly, but in no ways the least important factor – S. S. Rajamouli.
Now this guy has spoiled us – as an audience, we see him as the benchmark for indianised effects (if that even is a term). That 2-minutes in RRR where Ram Charan is shown as Rama, beats what I saw today, hollow, because of the goosebump-inducing narration, coupled with the magic of M.M. Keeravani. The package is what matters – everything coming together and Ram Charan of course, looking like the Deva himself.
And then the Varanasi teaser – the imagination, the Lanka section that shows Rama shooting a divine arrow while being supported by thousands of vanaras in a formation, the elevated music that reaches a crescendo when Mahesh Babu appears on screen – ragas, temple bells, Indian instruments – yes! If “can’t wait” had a definition, this is it.
As for Ramayana, it’s now more of a wait and watch. Not giving up on it yet, but there is a Rajmouli-size mountain to ascend. And that, in itself, is a challenge worth accepting.
See you tomorrow!
PS: Loved the Pushpaka Vimana though – and Yash seems to be the surprise package here:)