Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha review: Read about Anjali Arora as Sita, VFX, acting, story, audience reactions and the viral glasses-wearing Vanar meme
New Delhi: You may have seen Anjali Arora go viral several times on social media, but she has now stepped onto the big screen as Goddess Sita in Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha. Her journey sounds quite interesting the actress who became popular during the ‘Kacha Badam’ viral wave is now playing one of the most important characters in the Ramayan. However, while the journey sounds fascinating, the film itself offers a rather different experience.
The film hit theatres on September 25, with the makers attempting to bring the epic Ramayan to the big screen. However, while watching the film, one thing becomes clear: the story belongs to the Treta Yuga, but the VFX and visual effects sometimes feel like they have travelled even further back in time.
The Ramayan Is Grand, But the VFX Falls Short
The Ramayan has everything on a grand scale Lord Ram, Ravan, Lanka, the Vanar Sena and massive battles. Naturally, viewers expect the film to deliver the same grandeur on screen. However, the VFX often fails to meet those expectations.
Whether it is the battle sequences or the Vanar Sena, some shots make it feel as if the makers left the budget for grandeur somewhere along the way. One poster, in particular, created a separate story on social media. It showed a member of the Vanar Sena wearing glasses.
And then, the internet did what it does best turned the moment into meme material. Users flooded social media with jokes and memes about the poster, making the glasses wearing Vanar more talked about than the film itself.
Anjali Arora Plays Sita, But Her Acting Still Needs Work
Anjali Arora plays Sita in the film, marking her big screen debut. She has clearly worked on her appearance and tried to step into the character of Sita. But changing the look alone cannot bring a character to life.
In several scenes, her expressions and dialogue delivery feel weak. She struggles to bring the required emotional depth to some of the more intense moments. Since this marks her debut, the performance can certainly be viewed as a beginning, but she still has considerable room to improve.
Before the film’s release, Anjali also responded to the negativity surrounding her casting and asked people to watch the film before forming an opinion. After watching the movie, however, several social media users have raised questions not only about the VFX but also about her acting.
Ram and Ravan: Who Makes More of an Impact?
Dev Sharma plays Lord Ram. He approaches the character with seriousness, but his performance appears flat in several scenes. Rajneesh Duggal, on the other hand, makes a stronger impression as Ravan. His screen presence stands out and gives his character more impact.
Nirbhay Wadhwa plays Hanuman and does a decent job in the role. However, the weak screenplay does not allow several supporting actors to explore their characters fully.
The Story Remains Familiar, But the Execution Raises Questions
The film follows the well-known story of the Ramayan. From Sita’s Swayamvar and Ram’s exile to Sita’s abduction and the battle in Lanka, the film covers the major events.
The problem arises because the makers try to fit such a massive epic into a limited runtime. As a result, the narrative often rushes from one major event to another without giving enough time to several characters or emotional moments.
The music and Sanskrit verses help create the right atmosphere in certain scenes. However, weak editing and inconsistent VFX reduce their overall impact.
Viewers Create Their Own Version of the Ramayan
The film has received mixed reactions on social media. Some viewers have appreciated its devotional and religious elements, while many others have questioned its VFX, makeup and overall visual presentation.
The glasses wearing Vanar has especially given meme creators plenty of material. What was supposed to be a mythological epic has, at least on social media, turned into a source of fresh meme content.
