Namit Malhotra’s ambitious Ramayana is one of the most anticipated Indian films, but a massive question remains: will the makers show the epic’s darker and more brutal chapters, or will they make the story more suitable for a wider audience?
The film was reportedly shown to Western audiences on October 28 during Los Angeles premiere, and the response has been mixed. However, reviews are under embargo, so it remains unclear how some of the epic’s most controversial chapters have been handled.
The Ramayana is often remembered for the victory of good over evil. However, the epic also contains disturbing events, moral conflicts, and tragic endings that go beyond the familiar story of Rama’s victory over Ravana.
One major point of discussion is the abduction of Sita. In Valmiki’s Ramayana, Ravana’s abduction is described differently from many modern retellings, which avoid showing direct physical contact between him and Sita. How the film handles this episode could become a major talking point.
Surpanakha is another character who could receive a more layered portrayal. Often reduced to a woman driven by desire and revenge, her character offers room for a deeper exploration of her motives and the events that led to the conflict.
The treatment of war is equally important. Valmiki’s Ramayana contains graphic descriptions of battles, injuries, and death. Whether the film presents these moments with their original intensity or opts for stylised action remains to be seen.
The story also contains tragic events after Ravana’s defeat. Sita’s ordeal, including her banishment while pregnant and her eventual return to Mother Earth, remains one of the most emotionally difficult episodes associated with the epic.
These chapters raise questions about duty, public judgment, sacrifice, and the personal cost of royal responsibility. Leaving them out or simplifying them could change the emotional weight of the story.
At the same time, adapting a revered epic for cinema requires balancing cultural sensitivities, storytelling, and the expectations of a broad audience. Mishandling these sensitive episodes could trigger massive controversy and even calls for a ban in India.
The challenge for Namit Malhotra and director Nitesh Tiwari is not simply to recreate familiar scenes on a grand scale. It is to decide how honestly they can present the epic’s difficult moments while respecting the source material.
Will Ramayana explore these uncomfortable chapters with the seriousness they deserve, or will it focus mainly on spectacle and familiar heroic moments? The answer could determine whether the film becomes a truly powerful retelling of the epic or just another grand visual spectacle.
