Ramayana, The Odyssey, and the return of the epic soul to world cinema

India Today

2 days ago

The announcement of Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey' and Nitesh Tiwari's 'Ramayana', slated for release around 2026, heralds a global revival of ancient epics in cinema. These ambitious projects echo a bygone era when films like 'Jai Santoshi Maa' (1975) and director William Wyler's 'Ben-Hur' (1959) mesmerised movie-goers. As Tiwari and Nolan's films are still under production, IndiaToday.in delves into the potential of these films to restore the grandeur of mystical cinema. Experts weigh in on how the retelling of these stories helps in bridging cultural heritage with modern spectacle.advertisementA cultural awakeningThe origins of Indian cinema began with films like 'Raja Harishchandra' (1913), 'Lanka Dahan' (1917), and 'Shri Krishna Janma' (1918). These weren't just devotional films linked to religion and spirituality, but a wake-up call to the conscience of a nation. With these stories, the father of Indian cinema, Dadasaheb Phalke, inspired a national renaissance and unity during the British colonial rule.
Hemal A Thakkar, who had co-produced 'Oh My God' and 'Oh My God 2', films reflecting a perception to look at God and her creations, spoke about the impact of such films on the culture of storytelling. He said, "When this noise of content becomes overwhelming, the audience returns to stories that have some eternal truth. 'Ramayana' and 'The Odyssey' are the DNA of storytelling. Bringing them back is less about the past and more about the future of cinema. These are stories that outlive trends."The producer further said, "For the Indian audience, it is a good thing that these epics are put on celluloid to last forever. What happened in the '50s and '60s cinema has disappeared. Now, with new technology and narratives, the younger audience is going to be very kicked about this. If you look at the South, there are the right kinds of producers with entrepreneurial skills who have come up [to support such cinema]. This is a nostalgia and renaissance of meaningful cinema."Resurgence of epic storytellingAmerican actor-director Cecil B DeMille made films such as 'Samson and Delilah' (1949) and 'The Ten Commandments' (1956), narrating the holy scriptures of Christianity and Judaism. 'Ben-Hur', about the life story of Judah Ben-Hur, a Jewish prince in the times of Jesus Christ, won 11 Oscars in 1960. In a civilisation dealing with post-World War II recovery and Cold War tensions in the late 1940s and early 1950s, the depiction of faith in cinema was not just escapism but a beacon of hope.However, in the later years, both the Indian and Western film industries stayed away from stories based on ancient epics. Apart from the Indian television show 'Ramayan' and Wolfgang Petersen's 'Troy', there weren't any milestones as far as mystical storytelling is concerned. At a time when the world is grappling with uncertainty and crisis, stories that travel beyond time are more likely to resonate with a universal audience.advertisementWatch video here: Retelling Ramayana in a global landscapeRamanand Sagar's 'Ramayan' created a sense of community viewership. As 'Ramayana' is scheduled for a global release, it is going to reach out to the Indian diaspora in different countries. The film does not just have the potential to be a soft-power force to reckon with, but also reminds and realigns Indians living abroad with their cultural heritage. What Phalke and Sagar contributed in the past could be recreated to shape the prospects of India in the global landscape.However, amid the hype about producer Namit Malhotra's Prime Focus-owned Double Negative (DNEG) being involved in the VFX of 'Ramayana', there is a concern about how the mystical aspect is balanced alongside creating a visual spectacle. 'Maharaj' director Siddharth P Malhotra, while expressing his views, said, "We have seen 'Ramayan' when it came on television. When 'Sholay' came, a film called 'Jai Santoshi Ma' was also a box office success. We are the land of culture and religion. VFX is a tool to create advanced storytelling. But how you use it is what matters. When we see the film, we will realise, 'Kya aapke dil ko chhui, kya aapko bhakti ka ehsaas hua, kya aapko Shri Ram waala emotion laga ya nahi (Did it touch your heart, did it make you feel the emotion for Lord Rama)? These emotions are core."advertisementMalhotra, who is helming the Meena Kumari biopic, also stressed the need for prior research for actors while working on epic dramas. He said, "Both my actors, who play Kamal ji and Meena ji, are going to do workshops. They will be given the time to research and understand who these people are. If you want real emotions, then you will have to work and get everybody to that point."Epic storytelling requires authenticityAt a time when there is a discourse about the enriching cultural legacy of India's sacred texts, do artists also have certain responsibilities while attempting such themes? Actor Nitesh Bhardwaj, who played Lord Krishna in BR Chopra's 'Mahabharata', said, "The biggest responsibility they have while dealing with stories from history and Puranas is the authenticity. Enough research must be done by the writer and director first. The director is the captain of the ship. So he must be completely steeped in that period in order to guide the entire team."advertisement"Historical characters are inspirational, so there has to be all-around projection instead of merely presenting them as action heroes. The difference you see while watching a Hollywood film like 'The Ten Commandments' is that the stars give enough time to study those characters. Cinema is an art that requires passion. You have earned your Rs 5000 crore, now do something worthwhile that people will remember you for. Everything cannot be viewed through the lens of commercial viability," he added.As curiosity remains about whether 'Ramayana' will be able to revive the golden age of cinema, like Phalke, who made films like 'Mohini Bhasmasur' (1913) and 'Kalia Mardan' (1919). Bhardwaj reflected upon the same and said, "The Golden Age of cinema is when well-researched films impact audiences. Earlier, everyone not only saw cinema as a medium of entertainment but also as a source of education and information. That is why Bimal Roy and V Shantaram made such films in a purely commercial mode. The way some of the recent films on Ramayana and other sacred texts were made, they were not truthful about people's pulse and emotions. That is why I hope that Nitesh Tiwari, who comes from the hinterland of India, will do a much better job, and I look forward to that film. Even though our stars are very anglicised, it doesn't matter as long as they give enough time to understand the role. Which I believe Ranbir (Kapoor) will do because he is a very committed and brilliant actor."advertisementCinematic wave of epic revivals'Ramayana' and 'The Odyssey' are not just movies but philosophical invitations to the world. They explore Lord Rama's Dharma (duty) and Karma (action) as well as confront ego, time, and homecoming from the life story of Odysseus. Nolan is likely to treat the story as not just a myth but a metaphysical journey on the lines of 'Interstellar' and 'Inception'.Dipankar Mukherjee, Co-Founder & CEO of the AI firm Studio Blo, also weighed in on balancing the sanctity of cultural heritage through advanced technologies. He said, "AI and VFX are tools to enhance human imagination. Since you have grown up with these stories, there is this impulsion to narrate the 'Ramayana', 'Mahabharata', and 'Bhagavad Gita'. That's the same thing Nolan is doing with 'The Odyssey'. Homer and these epics are beautiful on a magnificent scale.""In terms of balancing, it comes from sensitivity as a storyteller. You have seen examples in 'Adipurush' and other films where storytelling was done in a way where the epic figures were made to turn into commercial heroes and heroines. There are different perspectives the creators can take while representing these characters in their full glory. As Indian creators, we must think globally. Somebody born in Bolivia, the US, China, or a Jew doesn't know about Lord Rama. So, it is important to treat them as great stories and not just religious lore. Once you start telling the epics more universally, then you will get a global audience," Mukherjee added.Reconnecting epics to youth and pop cultureIn the present scenario, the Instagram trends would often reflect the interest of Gen-Z and Gen Alpha in ancient texts, spiritual scholars, and sages. Their curiosity towards Yoga, Ayurveda, meditation, and the metaphysical concept of time and space in various YouTube podcasts is a testament to why 'Ramayana' is pivotal in today's times.'Ramayana' could introduce characters like Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, and Lord Hanuman to global pop culture, much like Thor or Zeus from Western epics. Merchandise, comics, or spin-off series could follow, embedding Indian mysticism in the global consciousness. 'The Odyssey' could make Odysseus a legendary icon akin to modern superheroes, inspiring memes, fan art, and adaptations in gaming or literature. Both films could foster cross-cultural fandoms with ancient heroes becoming as recognisable as Marvel or DC characters.Invoking human consciousness through visual storytellingThe worldwide release of 'Ramayana' and 'The Odyssey' could spark renewed interest in Indology, Sanskrit literature, and Greek studies in academic circles. These films could inspire translations, adaptations, or interdisciplinary research combining literature and cinema. Both the movies would likely bridge academia and entertainment, making ancient texts more accessible to younger generations through cinematic reinterpretations.The upcoming works of Tiwari and Nolan shouldn't be just seen as a VFX renaissance or a cinematic interpretation of civilisations. 'Ramayana' and 'The Odyssey', if well-executed, might have a larger impact across cultural, academic, and geopolitical circles.While weighing on the impact of epic storytelling on geopolitical narratives, Bhardwaj shared, "If the 'Ramayana' goes global, considering the geopolitical situation of chaos, it has a strong message to give to world audiences about restraint. But that doesn't mean someone can walk over you. So, while facing evil, you must fight with the help of everyone. 'Ramayana' has bear clans, monkey clans fighting. It conveys to global leaders to gather and accumulate the positive forces to fight the negativity. A very strong message for the world audiences.""The stories of the Bhartiya (Indian) diaspora have always had a moral for mankind beyond religion. So, we have enough ancient and modern literature in Bharat to tell stories which will benefit the world," he added.As the global community seeks wisdom amid chaos and conflict, Tiwari and Nolan offer an exploration of heroism and humanity. The time is ripe to let the world hear the echoes of eternity.- Ends
IN THIS STORY#Ranbir Kapoor