The highest-rated Ramayana film of all time was once banned in India
Ramayana is one of the most popular and influential epics in Hinduism, and has inspired countless adaptations in various media. However, the highest-rated and most-acclaimed film based on Ramayana was not even made in India, and for a long time, it was not screened in the country either. This is the story of Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama, an animated film produced and directed by Japanese filmmaker Yugo Sako in 1992.
What makes Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama special?
Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama is an Indo-Japanese production that retells the story of Lord Rama, his exile, his wife Sita's abduction by the demon king Ravana, and his epic war to rescue her. The film was made in both Hindi and English, with voice actors from both countries. Some notable names include Arun Govil as Lord Rama, Amrish Puri as Ravana, Shatrughan Sinha as the narrator, Rahul Bose, Pearl Padamsee, and Cyrus Broacha. The film also features an original musical score by Vanraj Bhatia.
The film stands out for its stunning animation, which blends traditional Indian art styles with Japanese anime techniques. The film also has a crisp narrative style that covers the major events of the Ramayana in less than two hours. The film has a rating of 9.2 on IMDb, higher than all other films based on Ramayana and even Ramanand Sagar's eponymous TV show. The film has won several awards and accolades, such as the Best Animation Film Award at the 1993 Annecy International Animated Film Festival.
Why was Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama banned in India?
Despite its artistic merit and international acclaim, Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama did not get an India release for over three years. It was banned in India at the time because of the polarised and communal environment during the Babri Masjid riots. The film was deemed too sensitive and controversial to be shown in a country where religious sentiments were running high.
The Hindi version of the film was eventually aired on Doordarshan in 1995. Both the versions are available on YouTube now.
Did you know?
- The English version of the film was edited and adapted for a US release in 2001. In this new edition, Lord Rama was voiced by Bryan Cranston, who later became famous for his role as Walter White in Breaking Bad. The film also had narration from James Earl Jones, best known as the voice of Darth Vader in Star Wars.
- Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama is not the only Japanese adaptation of Ramayana. There is also a manga series called Ramayan 3392 A.D., which reimagines the epic as a futuristic sci-fi saga.
- Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama is one of the few animated films that have been rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). This is because of some scenes of violence and bloodshed that may not be suitable for children.
Conclusion
Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama is a remarkable film that showcases the universal appeal and relevance of Ramayana. It is a testament to the power of cross-cultural collaboration and artistic expression. It is also a film that deserves to be seen and appreciated by more people, especially those who love Ramayana and animation.
Source:
(1) Top Rated Indian Movies - IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/india/top-rated-indian-movies/.
(2) 7 Best Movies and TV Shows Inspired by Ramayana to Watch ... - Jagran Josh. https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/best-movies-and-tv-shows-inspired-by-ramayana-to-watch-this-festive-season-1666350892-1.
(3) The highest-rated Ramayana film starred Breaking Bad's Bryan Cranston .... https://www.dnaindia.com/hollywood/report-ramayana-the-legend-of-prince-rama-starred-breaking-bad-bryan-cranston-lord-ram-adipurush-prabhas-om-raut-vfx-3047692.
(4) List of highest-grossing R-rated films - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_highest-grossing_R-rated_films.
FAQ's
Why was Ramayana banned in India?
The “Vishva Hindu Parishad” was unsure if they would faithfully adapt the ancient epic or whether the animation format would affect the ethics of the story, which led to the film's theatrical premiere in India being canceled.
Which Ramayan is banned in India?
Conversation. This movie, “The Legend of Prince Rama (1992)”, was banned in India because of protests against the animation of Indian Gods.
Is there a movie based on the Ramayana?
The trailer of the much-anticipated film Adipurush starring Prabhas, Kriti Sanon and Saif Ali Khan was released by makers recently and it has been creating a lot of buzz. Adipurush is mythological film based on the Hindu epic, 'Ramayana', but this isn't the only one.
Is Ramayan original or fake?
Thus, the Ramayana was damned for all time as a myth. The epics are known to us as itihasa—thus it happened. And to Hindus, there is no doubt that the events of the epic did happen. The actual story of the Ramayana is very simple.
