After numerous delays, filmmaker Om Raut’s ambitious project, Adipurush review, has finally made its way to the theaters. Derived from Rishi Valmiki’s epic, Ramayan, the film carries the weight of a story deeply ingrained in the hearts of every Indian. Starring Prabhas as Raghav, Kriti Sanon as Janaki, and Sunny Singh as Shesh, the star-studded cast has been a major attraction. However, Adipurush falls short in terms of its visual effects and dialogues, proving to be significant drawbacks.
When you set aside the hype and fanfare surrounding Adipurush, the film manages to captivate viewers from the very beginning. Prabhas, known for his past film choices such as Baahubali, delivers a believable performance as Raghav, exuding strength, kindness, and justice. While his stardom may overshadow his portrayal, Prabhas remains the saving grace of the film and deserves recognition.
Kriti Sanon’s portrayal of Janaki is beautiful on screen, but unfortunately, she receives less screen time than anticipated. The actress is often juxtaposed amid well-crafted visual effects, but it is her chemistry with Prabhas that stands out. Sunny Singh’s portrayal of Shesh is sporadic throughout the film, with only a handful of dialogues. His character is intentionally designed not to overpower Prabhas, yet he manages to shine in certain moments.
Devdatta Nage takes on the role of Adipurush’s Bajrangbali, a character previously portrayed by veteran actor Dara Singh. The expectations for Bajrangbali were sky-high, and Nage’s performance brings a touch of safe humor to the character. As soon as he appears on the screen, some audience members in theaters even paid their respects with a small namaskara. Saif Ali Khan, despite initial doubts, delivers a decent performance as Raavana, successfully creating a sense of terror associated with the mythological character.
While the first half of Adipurush may leave viewers eagerly anticipating what comes next, the second half is where the maximum effort is evident. However, it falls short of expectations. The much-anticipated visual effects, for which the film’s release date was postponed, ultimately disappoint. The VFX hampers the visuals, showcasing unrealistic scenes like Ravan landing on a bat-pad or VFX monkeys clad in strapped leather gear. Fight scenes often feel unfinished, hidden behind dust, smoke, or excessive glittery particles during intense moments. Director Om Raut attempted to cleverly edit certain scenes that sparked a meme fest in the past, but the VFX fails to impress.
The dialogues in Adipurush seem tailored for a modern-day audience, but at times, they create an odd juxtaposition with the mythological era. For example, Lord Bajrangbali’s line, “Jo hamari behno ko hath lagayenge, unki lanka laga denge” (If anyone harms our sisters, we will destroy their Lanka), leaves room for reflection. Furthermore, Vatsal Sheth as Indrajeet challenges Raghav in unimaginable ways, which viewers need to witness firsthand. While the film attempts to strike a balance between the contemporary and the era of Lord Ram, there are instances that may raise eyebrows.
The soundtracks in Adipurush play a pivotal role in enhancing the larger-than-life mythological narrative. The chant of “Jai Shri Ram” resounds in several crucial segments, evoking goosebumps. The background score is also commendable, and fans are treated to a duet by Sonu Nigam and Shreya Ghoshal after a long time with the soul-soothing song “Tu Hai Sheetal Dhaara.”
In conclusion, Adipurush can be considered one of Om Raut’s grandest works; however, the film falls short in terms of its visual presentation. Nonetheless, it deserves at least one watch in theaters, especially for Prabhas’ performance, if nothing else.
