Only a part of one of the world’s most famous epics fits into “Ramayana: Rise of a Legend,” which begins a two-movie endeavor. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, this respectable and respectful adaptation rolls out the converging stories of the prince Rama and the demon king Ravana with brawny blockbuster-style action and earnest royal intrigue.
Ravana’s brute-force seizure of the bustling kingdom of Lanka supplies the film’s extended prologue, framed by interventions from worried demigods and deities. Hopes are pinned on the rise of Rama (Ranbir Kapoor) as heir apparent in the city of Ayodhya, though the dramatic contrast doesn’t do the straight-arrow prince any favors. When parental plotting sends Rama into a 14-year exile with his betrothed, Sita (Sai Pallavi), and his brother Lakshman (Ravi Dubey), it’s easy to want to see more of the smoldering, driven Ravana (or of Sita’s flowing swordplay).
Rama and Sita’s devoted life together on the fringe does lead to shape-shifting adventures that boost the film, like when a powerful princess schemes to be Rama’s second wife, or when Ravana impersonates a guru. “Ramayana” surges unmistakably whenever Tiwari can break out of dutiful dialogues to stage grand set pieces, like the climactic battle on the story’s flowerlike airship between Ravana and Jatayu (voiced by Anupam Kher), the beautifully rendered vulture demigod.
Cruising along with scoring by A.R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer, the movie concludes just as Rama questions his destiny, after his selfless centering of dharma. With its world now articulated, perhaps the second film of “Ramayana” will take new risks, just as Rama does.
Ramayana: Rise of a Legend Rated PG-13 for sequences of strong violence and action, and some bloody images. In Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and English, with subtitles. Running time: 2 hours 45 minutes. In theaters.
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