#SHOWBIZ: 'Ramayana': Ancient Hindu epic and India's most expensive film

NEW DELHI - An opulent film adaptation of the ancient Hindu epic, Ramayana, has reignited interest in the timeless tale that continues to shape India's culture, identity and politics. Titled "Ramayana: Rise of a Legend," the Bollywood blockbuster starring Ranbir Kapoor premiered in Los Angeles last week and is set to release in India just two days before the country's biggest festival, Diwali. The movie has been dubbed into nearly 40 languages, reflecting its widespread appeal.

Director Nitesh Tiwari claims artificial intelligence was employed to sync characters' lip movements with translated scripts, showcasing the film's cutting-edge technology. With its grand scale, visual splendor, and legendary characters, "Ramayana" has been likened to Christopher Nolan's global hit, "The Odyssey," a cinematic adaptation of Homer's ancient poem.

The epic, traditionally attributed to Valmiki, an ancient Sanskrit poet, narrates the tale of Prince Ram, who is banished for 14 years and embarks on a mission to rescue his wife Sita after she is abducted by the demon king Ravana. Supported by his brother Lakshman and the monkey god Hanuman, Ram's journey is central to Hindu mythology. The epic has been retold and reimagined across South and Southeast Asia in numerous languages and traditions.

In modern India, the Ramayana became entwined with a Hindu nationalist movement seeking to construct a temple dedicated to Ram in Ayodhya, a northern Indian city believed to be his birthplace. This connection to politics emerged as a major flashpoint in the late 1980s and early 1990s, fueling Hindu nationalism's rise into mainstream politics.

The dispute culminated in the demolition of a 16th-century mosque by Hindu mobs in 1992, igniting nationwide riots that claimed around 2,000 lives, predominantly Muslims. The Supreme Court ultimately awarded the disputed site for the construction of a Hindu temple in 2019, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated in 2024.

The Ramayana's influence extends beyond India, inspiring numerous retellings in South and Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, Cambodia, and Indonesia, as well as traditional performances in these regions. The epic also plays a pivotal role in Hindu festivals, particularly Dussehra and Diwali, marking Ram's triumph over Ravana and his return to Ayodhya after exile.