Adipurush Review: Even Saif Ali Khan cannot salvage this visually abysmal Ramayana adaptation

Adipurush, the highly anticipated Indian epic based on the Ramayana, falls painfully short of whatever expectations the undeniable majority had from it. From the onset, it becomes abundantly clear that this cinematic endeavour is plagued by glaring issues that make it an unbearable watch.

It seems like the creators of the film decided to embark on a grand quest to drain the pockets of unsuspecting moviegoers (who more than happily lined up to have their beloved epic butchered in front of their eyes) only to deliver a lacklustre and visually abysmal adaptation of the Hindu epic Ramayana. The so-called "epic" fails to live up to its inflated budget and hype, leaving audiences with nothing more than a bitter taste and a longing for their wasted time... and it runs for three long hours!

Hailed as one of the most expensive Indian films ever produced, surely the bare minimum would entail a visually stunning spectacle. The subpar CGI work and dull visual effects make it feel like a half-hearted attempt at bringing this epic tale to life. Imposing green-screen shots appear profoundly artificial and fail to create any sense of awe or wonder that the film so proudly promised in its promotional material, leaving us disconnected from the story.

Saif Ali Khan’s demon king of Lanka, Lankesh, comes off as a poorly rendered character from a dated videogame while his army of orcs and bats are ripped straight out of World of Warcraft. Planet of the Apes parallels aside, Sugreeva’s army of primates are meant to be a force to be reckoned with, but come across as a pixelated joke. It's truly astonishing how such an exorbitant amount of money still produces effects that wouldn't even give PlayStation 2 titles a run for their money.

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But the travesties don't end there. The dialogues in the film are painfully inconsistent - one moment, we're treated to stilted and outdated lines that would make even the most earnest soap opera cringe; and the next moment, the characters speak in a jarring mix of contemporary slang and forced archaic language. 

Instead of presenting a compelling narrative with powerful dialogues, Adipurush serves up a series of uninspiring and forgettable lines. The dialogue feels forced and lacks the emotional resonance that is crucial for a story of this magnitude.

To think that 

Follows something as ridiculous as

is truly a masterclass in scriptwriting. It's as if the writers were torn between crafting a modern adaptation and a period piece, and ended up with an incoherent linguistic mishmash and an array of dialogue that elicited more unintentional laughter than any sentimental response.

The cast, led by Prabhas as Raghava, also fails to elevate the film from its mediocre depths. The performances feel uninspired, and the characters come across as one-dimensional and uninteresting. Prabhas, in particular, struggles to bring life to the portrayal of the much-exalted Raghav, leaving the audience wanting more depth and emotional range from the central character.

Despite his success in previous roles, Prabhas falls flat as the film’s protagonist, lacking the gravitas and charisma necessary to command the screen. Kriti Sanon as Janaki brings a glimmer of hope, but her talents are wasted on a poorly written character who serves as nothing more than a damsel in distress.

In a sea of uninspiring portrayals, Saif Ali Khan manages to bring a certain level of intrigue and charisma to his character, standing out as the sole beacon of compelling acting in this otherwise forgettable film.

His portrayal exudes a calculated mix of menace and sophistication that’s exemplified in an early scene involving a striking sitar solo by Khan’s Lankesh. Khan's nuanced expressions and delivery inject life into Lankesh, making him a character worth paying attention to, even when the rest of the film fails to hold our interest.

While Adipurush as a whole may be an exhausting endeavour, the orchestral original score by Sanchit and Ankit Balhara stands out as a glimmer of brilliance.

The Balhara brothers have crafted an exceptional soundtrack that elevates the few moments of the film and manages to evoke a sense of grandeur. Their orchestral arrangements, filled with sweeping melodies and powerful crescendos, infuse the scenes with a much-needed dose of emotion and intensity. The score manages to capture the essence of the Ramayana, effectively enhancing the storytelling and immersing the audience in the mythological world.

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Throughout Adipurush, the music serves as an anchor, providing an emotional connect that is sorely lacking in other aspects of the film. It creates a sense of anticipation, heightens dramatic moments, and evokes a range of emotions from awe to sorrow. The Balhara brothers' talent for composing evocative and memorable melodies shines through, showcasing their ability to translate the essence of the story into a musical language that resonates with the audience.

It is a testament to the power of music in cinema, as it has the ability to transcend the limitations of other elements and leave a lasting impact on the viewer.

In the end, Adipurush's inflated budget and ambitious intentions are no match for its bland execution. The filmmakers may have attempted to use cutting-edge technology, but it seems they forgot to employ competent artists and storytellers along the way. The film's shoddy CGI, inconsistent dialogue, and overall vapid adaptation of the classic tale makes it a forgettable and mediocre watch at best.

Our final rating: 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 (end this or end me)