After 32 Years, 'Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama' Hits Theaters This October (Image-X/excelmovies)
The iconic television series of 1992 the Japanese-Indian anime film Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama (1992) is making its big screen debut this October in four languages. Tamil, and Telugu. The Indo-Japanese creation will be jointly released by Geek Pictures India, AA Films, and Excel Entertainment.
Making its grand debut on the silver screens in 4k ultra HD quality, the classic will be released in Hindi, English, The film will be released on October 18.
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Announcing its debut to the big screens, Excel Entertainment wrote, “Witness the legendary tale of India’s most loved epic! Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama, releasing across India on October 18!”
Witness the legendary tale of India’s most loved epic! Ramayana : The Legend of Prince Rama, releasing across India on October 18! #Ramayana
#TheLegendOfPrinceRama@Arjunarcv @mokshamodgill @VVPrasadWrites @ritesh_sid @FarOutAkhtar @J10kassim @vishalrr @geekpictures_IN… pic.twitter.com/fBKLTOpwX3— Excel Entertainment (@excelmovies) September 19, 2024
Initially premiered at the 24th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), the epic was directed by Yugo Sako, Ram Mohan, and Koichi Sasaki. Inspired by the Indian classic Ramayana, the film was co-produced by Japan and India. It also made its way to the Vancouver International Film Festival in 1993.
The film captures major elements of the epic tale such as Rama’s exile, Sita’s abduction, Hanuman’s devotion, and the climactic battle between Rama and Ravana. The vibrant animation, musical score, and faithful adaptation of the epic continues to make the anime film one of the classics even now. It was also one of the first animated depictions of Hindu scripture.
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Along with nostalgia, the animated film also holds special elements. Since it was released decades ago, the film brings the hand-drawn crafts of anime creators to the big screen. The elements of the film also has a touch of cross-cultural collaboration which introduced the epic Ramayana to global audiences.
However, in India, it faced controversies. Religious groups protested over the portrayal by foreign filmmakers, citing the epic as a cultural heritage of India. Additionally, the controversy occurred at the height of the Ayodhya dispute. Combined with the fact that it was cartoon depiction, the prospects of producing the anime film in India were axed.
The movie was eventually produced in Japan with over 450 artists from Japan and India collaborating. Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama remains an important animated interpretation of the epic and it won’t be a stretch to say that no other Indian adaptation of Ramayana has come close to it.
Watch the trailer here:
