Movie Review: Mahayoddha Rama - A Fun Film For Children
Originally published on Follo.in
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On multiple occasions, filmmakers have tried to bring alive the tale of Ramayana on the big screen. The efforts started right since the early days of filmmaking in India. Over the last couple of decades, the attempts to do the same in live action have not been made, owing to the scale. That, however, is not much of a concern when it comes to animation. Indian and Japanese filmmakers collaborated in the early ‘90s to bring to us Ramayana: The Legend Of Prince Rama – an animation film, which till date sits on a high pedestal when it comes to telling of the Ramayan as well execution in terms of animation. Since then filmmakers have tried to emulate the same, but missed the mark by miles.
As a director, debutant Rohit Jaisingh Vaid tries to bring in something new into the grand epic. He along with Sameer Sharma writes a script that not only uses contemporary language, filled with puns, he also turns the narrative, driving the tale as Ravana’s pursuit to stay invincible. The story hence starts with Ravana attains Lord Brahma’s blessings that he no God would be able to defeat him. Lord Rama is born as an avatar of Vishnu to put an end to Ravana and the evil king spends a lifetime trying to kill Rama. The screenplay is woven around various action-oriented scenes where Rama not only wins small duets but grows in stature.
And the screenplay is where Mahayoddha Rama falters. In keeping it action oriented and well paced, the film feels rushed up. The writes cut out some incidents due to which a younger one who is not already well versed with the tale might feel a bit lost. And that goes against a film which is primarily aimed at children. The writer also moves away from the epic at times, adding to it. That, of course, is not a bother.
Mahayoddha Rama comes in eight years after it was supposed to. The trailer of the film was first released back in 2008. And though the animation may look slightly dated, especially since we have seen better work since then, it is refined and you should see no major glitches. There is a visible eye for detailing when it comes to background and foreground action. Colours are used effectively to add to scenes. The characters are designed keeping the new-age kids in mind, to make the leads more relevant. The makers have moved away from usual costumes to trendier outfits, keeping in sync with the languages used.
The biggest strength of the film is the lingo. There is a fair usage of English and modern Hindi words to appeal to the children, while elders might be entertained by the usage of puns. That way Mahayoddha Rama should remind you of Anurag Kashyap’s Return of Hanuman (2007). The makers have also added accent such as Punjabi and Bhojpuri for different characters, making them relatable. For example, the magnificent Hanuman and his entire race speak with a heavy Punjabi accent somewhere also reminding us how effortlessly Dara Singh had played Hanuman in Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan.
Adding to the zing is Gulshan Grover as Ravana. He seems to have had a lot of fun doing the same. Also, there is the unmistakable Ameen Sayani who gives voice to one of the heads. Kunal Kapoor as Rama and Jimmy Sheirgill as Lakshman do a fair job.
Mahayoddha Rama is a fun film. It is earnest and uncomplicated for most parts. While the animation does not let you down, the younger ones should have a rather hearty laugh or two at the goofy Ravana with his ten heads.
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On multiple occasions, filmmakers have tried to bring alive the tale of Ramayana on the big screen. The efforts started right since the early days of filmmaking in India. Over the last couple of decades, the attempts to do the same in live action have not been made, owing to the scale. That, however, is not much of a concern when it comes to animation. Indian and Japanese filmmakers collaborated in the early ‘90s to bring to us Ramayana: The Legend Of Prince Rama – an animation film, which till date sits on a high pedestal when it comes to telling of the Ramayan as well execution in terms of animation. Since then filmmakers have tried to emulate the same, but missed the mark by miles.
As a director, debutant Rohit Jaisingh Vaid tries to bring in something new into the grand epic. He along with Sameer Sharma writes a script that not only uses contemporary language, filled with puns, he also turns the narrative, driving the tale as Ravana’s pursuit to stay invincible. The story hence starts with Ravana attains Lord Brahma’s blessings that he no God would be able to defeat him. Lord Rama is born as an avatar of Vishnu to put an end to Ravana and the evil king spends a lifetime trying to kill Rama. The screenplay is woven around various action-oriented scenes where Rama not only wins small duets but grows in stature.
And the screenplay is where Mahayoddha Rama falters. In keeping it action oriented and well paced, the film feels rushed up. The writes cut out some incidents due to which a younger one who is not already well versed with the tale might feel a bit lost. And that goes against a film which is primarily aimed at children. The writer also moves away from the epic at times, adding to it. That, of course, is not a bother.
Mahayoddha Rama comes in eight years after it was supposed to. The trailer of the film was first released back in 2008. And though the animation may look slightly dated, especially since we have seen better work since then, it is refined and you should see no major glitches. There is a visible eye for detailing when it comes to background and foreground action. Colours are used effectively to add to scenes. The characters are designed keeping the new-age kids in mind, to make the leads more relevant. The makers have moved away from usual costumes to trendier outfits, keeping in sync with the languages used.
The biggest strength of the film is the lingo. There is a fair usage of English and modern Hindi words to appeal to the children, while elders might be entertained by the usage of puns. That way Mahayoddha Rama should remind you of Anurag Kashyap’s Return of Hanuman (2007). The makers have also added accent such as Punjabi and Bhojpuri for different characters, making them relatable. For example, the magnificent Hanuman and his entire race speak with a heavy Punjabi accent somewhere also reminding us how effortlessly Dara Singh had played Hanuman in Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan.
Adding to the zing is Gulshan Grover as Ravana. He seems to have had a lot of fun doing the same. Also, there is the unmistakable Ameen Sayani who gives voice to one of the heads. Kunal Kapoor as Rama and Jimmy Sheirgill as Lakshman do a fair job.
Mahayoddha Rama is a fun film. It is earnest and uncomplicated for most parts. While the animation does not let you down, the younger ones should have a rather hearty laugh or two at the goofy Ravana with his ten heads.
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