15 JUNE, 2023
Shaurya Thapa
Photo: IMDb
Adipurush, the latest pan-Indian take on the Ramayana, is finally releasing in theatres on June 16 (Friday).
Photo: IMDb
Directed by Tanhaji's Om Raut, Adipurush is currently reported to be one of the most expensive Indian movies, with a Rs 500 cr budget, after RRR (Rs 550 cr).
Photo: IMDb
Prabhas and Kriti Sanon play Ram and Sita respectively, while Saif Ali Khan plays Ravan and Sunny Singh plays Lakshman. Marathi actor Devdatta Nage plays Hanuman.
Photo: IMDb
Adipurush had been drawing flak since 2022, among Hindus who found inaccuracies like Ram having a moustache and Ravan riding a dragon-like creature.
The first Adipurush teaser was memed heavily for its laughable CGI, following which Raut promised the visual effects will be improved.
Photo: IMDb
Photo: IMDb
the fact that Hanuman and other apes in the trailer were depicted as wearing leather straps also drew flak as leather isn't allowed in most Hindu religious spaces.
Photo: IMDb
As a part of its promotion strategy, the exhibitors and producers pushed for reserving one seat in every theatre for Lord Hanuman!
Photo: IMDb
Another move that worked in Adipurush's favour were people mass booking tickets such as Ranbir Kapoor who booked 10,000 tickets for underprivileged children.
Photo: IMDb
While it is also released in 3D, Adipurush won't be getting an IMAX release as two IMAX movies can't drop on the same day (and The Flash is releasing on IMAX on June 15).
Photo: IMDb
Adipurush was supposed to have its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in US on June 13 but will now be screened at Tribeca only on the Indian release date.