Mumbai: The Ramayana is set to return to the big screen with ‘Mahakavya Shri Ramayana Katha’, a new adaptation that promises to take audiences through some of the epic’s most iconic episodes.
Directed by Abhishek Singh, the film is scheduled to hit theatres on September 25 in Hindi and Chhattisgarhi. The makers have unveiled the trailer, giving viewers a glimpse of the dramatic sequence of events following Sita’s abduction and Rama’s search for her.
The trailer opens up the story around the golden deer episode, followed by Ravana’s abduction of Sita and her journey to Lanka. After learning about Sita’s disappearance, Rama sets out to find her.
Another key sequence shows Hanuman meeting Sita in Lanka, while the trailer also features glimpses of the construction of the Ram Setu and Hanuman setting Lanka ablaze.
The film also brings alive Hanuman’s legendary journey to bring the Sanjeevani mountain, highlighting the devotional and heroic elements of the Ramayana.
The film comes at a time when another major screen adaptation of the epic, Nitesh Tiwari’s ‘Ramayana’, is being mounted on a much larger scale with extensive visual effects.
‘Mahakavya Shri Ramayana Katha’, however, aims to connect with audiences through a relatively simpler production approach and a strong regional flavour. The film has particularly generated interest in Chhattisgarh, where its Chhattisgarhi version is expected to appeal to local audiences.
Dev Sharma plays Rama, Anjali Arora portrays Sita, while Rajneesh Duggal essays Ravana.
The makers are positioning the film as a devotional retelling that presents the Ramayana in a simple and accessible manner.
‘Mahakavya Shri Ramayana Katha’ is slated to release in theatres on September 25, alongside Sidharth Malhotra-starrer ‘The One’.
