Actor Sunil Lahri, who became a household name for playing Lakshman in Ramanand Sagar's television series 'Ramayan', has shared his thoughts on Nitesh Tiwari's recently released film 'Ramayana'. While he appreciated the film's visual scale, cinematography and performances, the actor felt that it missed an important element: the devotional spirit of the epic.

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In a video shared on social media, Sunil described watching the film as a bittersweet experience. He acknowledged the effort that had gone into making the big-budget production, particularly its visual effects, but said that certain scenes and dialogues could have been presented with greater sensitivity to the original story.

Speaking about the film, he said, "I recently got the opportunity to watch the newly released film 'Ramayana.' It is a grand spectacle made on a massive budget, and its visual effects are truly world-class. The cinematography is exceptionally beautiful and visually appealing. All the actors have performed their respective roles remarkably well and portrayed their characters with great sincerity and dedication. There are several outstanding scenes in the film."

However, the actor felt that the film did not give enough attention to some of the emotional moments that are central to the epic. He pointed out that certain important episodes were either missing or did not leave the intended impact.

"In my opinion, certain sequences, particularly the emotional scenes, could have been handled better. I feel that not enough attention has been paid to some of the dialogues and important moments, while a few significant scenes are missing altogether," he said.

Sunil specifically mentioned the Parashurama episode, which he felt lacked the impact it deserved. He also questioned the absence of the Ahalya episode and expressed reservations about the way certain characters address Lord Ram.

"For instance, I found the Parashurama sequence rather weak. The Ahalya episode is missing entirely. Similarly, I did not like the way Shurpanakha addresses Lord Ram during their conversation. The way Sita Ji addresses Lord Ram also did not feel appropriate to me. There are several other sequences that I felt were weak and lacked the devotional sentiment and divine essence that are integral to the story of the Ramayana," he explained.

The actor's central criticism was that the film appeared to prioritise spectacle over the spiritual significance of the story. While he acknowledged its grand presentation, he felt that the devotional aspect should have received equal importance.

"In my opinion, the film focuses more on grandeur and power than on devotion. It is more Shakti Pradhan (centred on power) than Bhakti Pradhan (centred on devotion). I would encourage all of you to watch the film and share your thoughts and opinions," Sunil said.

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, 'Ramayana' features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Yash as Ravana. The ensemble cast also includes Ravie Dubey, Arun Govil and Lara Dutta. Released in theatres on November 5, the film has drawn attention for its ambitious scale and visual presentation, while also prompting discussions about its interpretation of the Indian epic.

Agency inputs