BOTTOM LINE
Well-Written and Executed
PLATFORM
Jio Hotstar
RUNTIME
133 mins.
What Is the Film About?
Ravan unleashes new, terrifying astral forms, signalling an escalation of his power against Ram and his allies. When negotiations for support from Trivarna, the king of Sangadhaa, fail, he engages in a fierce battle, unleashing his demonic side. As darkness looms over Lanka, Ravan and Lakshman fight it out for the larger cause. All hopes rest on Hanuman to save Lakshman with the Sanjivani herb.
Analysis
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The Legend of Hanuman, which enters its sixth season this week, has consistently pushed the bar in retelling the Ramayana through animation on OTT across age groups, supplemented by its new-age visualisation, playful storytelling and impactful writing, exploring major events, the traits of each of its pivotal characters (apart from Hanuman too) with equal sincerity.
The new season is about the fall of Ravan as much as the rise of Hanuman. Greed and ego get the better of Ravan. Emerging victorious over Ram is no longer his only priority, he wants the world for himself. While losing the support of Vibheeshan (and Mandodari partially), he misses being with his other brothers, sons (who’re no more) and hopes to meet them on the other side of the world.
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Time and again, Ravan makes questionable choices, say the way he wreaks havoc on Trivarna’s army (who aren’t in favour of supporting Ravan). When Nil from the monkey kingdom is trapped in Lanka and plays a board game (akin to chess) with Ravan, the former’s intellectual superiority, despite being a nobody, humbles the ten-headed demon. In a way, he foresees what’s in store for him.
Ravan’s past catches up with him, and his present doesn’t look rosy either. What prompts him to turn into a devotee of Shiva? Why is he adamant about support from humans? What’s his tryst with the Sun god? How does his overconfidence get in the way of his skill? The creators use innovative ways to set the stage for Ravan’s confrontations and build the drama effectively.
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Simultaneously, you get a sense of the situation at Ram’s camp, through characters like Jambavan, Lakshman and other members from the monkey kingdom. Among the show’s biggest highs is Hanuman’s bravura towards the final episodes, how he surmounts the various challenges thrown at him, en route to his quest for the Sanjeevani herb to rescue Lakshman.
Similar to the the ten-heads of Ravan, there’s impressive emphasis on the form of Hanuman with five faces (more popularly referred to as the Panchamukhi Hanuman). The series uses the lesser known characters from the epic to enrich the screenplay. Like the other seasons, it is philosophically rich and a series of mini-flashbacks provide you a sense of the emotional state of characters.
While there’s no major complaint with the visualisation and staging of the scenes as per modern-day storytelling sensibilities, the physicality of the characters could do with much improvement (where they don’t look like watered-down versions of Hulk or King Kong). Otherwise, it is a terrific starting point to introduce epics to a new generation while providing new insights to those aware of its nuances.
The Legend of Hanuman Season 6 merits a viewing, pushing the bar for the retelling of epics through animation.
Music and Other Departments?
Kaala Bhairava’s music, while capturing the emotional depth of the narrative, also retains its playful, child-like quality. The visualisation of the action sequences, be it the writing or the execution, is sharp, imaginative and draws the viewer into the story.
Editor Tharun Prasad ensures a slick narrative without major bumps, using the smaller details to establish the core plot gradually. Writers/creators Charuvi Agrawal, Jeevan J Kang, Sharad Devarajan and Sarwat Chadda do what it takes to continue the show’s winning momentum across seasons. The uncompromised dubbing, across languages, deserves praise, too.
Highlights?
Lesser known facets of the epic
Staging of the action sequences
Riveting writing, rich in detail, technical finesse
Drawbacks?
Physicality of a few characters (becomes a caricature at times)
The integration of the subplots and the core story is not always seamless
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes
Will You Recommend It?
Certainly
The Legend of Hanuman Season 6 Review by M9
