Ram Setu Review: This adventure drama based on the facts but lacks conviction despite few beautiful moments
Ram Setu Movie Rating: 3.5 Stars
Finally watched Ram Setu movie in Cinemas. Let’s focus on the complete details, story, positive/negatives and at last my personal view on this movie.
Cast: Akshay Kumar, Satya Dev, Jacqueline Fernandez, Nushrratt Bharuccha, Nasser, Pravessh Rana and Jeniffer Piccinato
Director: Abhishek Sharma
Release Date: 25th October 2022 in Cinemas
Story: It revolves around Dr. Aryan Kulshrestha (Akshay Kumar) who is a world-renowned archaeologist who is asked by the government to prove that Ram Setu, which exists between India and Sri Lanka is actually a natural formation and not a man-made structure. His wife Gayatri (Nushrratt Bharuccha) warns him not to take up the controversial projects as it might earn him the ire of the masses.
The authorities are keen on demolishing the bridge to please rich businessman Indrakant (Nasser) but the public sentiments are hurt because people believe the bridge to be part of mythology, culture and history. Since Aryan is an atheist, the authorities are sure, he will give a report which debunks the theory that it was built by Shri Ram. Aryan’s report is considered blasphemous, because of which he is suspended for some time.
However, Indrakant funds Aryan’s further research in and around Sri Lanka as he wants an absolute report that Ram Setu existed even before the birth of Shri Ram. He stands to gain a lot if the bridge is demolished. And it will be demolished only if it is proven that Shri Ram did not construct it.
Assisting Aryan in Sri Lanka is AP (Satya Dev) who comes from nowhere and proves to be a major asset to Aryan’s team comprising Sandra (Jacqueline Fernandez) and Gabrielle (Jennifer Piccinato). However, when the businessman realises that Aryan’s report could be different from what he wants, he orders his men to kill all of them. Meanwhile, the matter is the subject matter of litigation in the Supreme Court. How they escape death and come back to India in time to stop the destruction of the bridge forms the crux of the film.
Positives
1. Performances
2. Cinematography
3. Screenplay
4. Climax
5. Story
Negatives
1. Music
2. Direction
3. 2nd half
Durgesh Tiwary’s View: When I watched the trailer of this film planned to watch this movie in cinemas because of interesting concept.
An atheist archaeologist turned believer must race against time to prove the true existence of the legendary Ram Setu before evil forces destroy the pillar of India’s heritage.
Ram Setu story is story based on facts. While the story is quite interesting, screenplay is one of complete convenience and therefore lacks conviction. Aryan and his team seem to be so resourceful that they can lay their hands on just about anything and everything and that too in no time. The courtroom drama in the end and the scene in which Aryan reads the jottings in AP’s diary do gladden the hearts of the devout Hindus but these are not enough to make up for the otherwise boring and unconvincing drama. The film lacks in emotions. Dialogues are not half as forceful as they ought to have been. The film juxtaposes fact and fiction to make for a compelling case for making us believe that things described in the Ramayana are not folklore or mythology but actual history. The film takes us through the jungles of Sri Lanka to various sites mentioned in the holy epic and makes us from our own opinion about their authenticity. The film couldn’t be shot on actual locations because of the coronavirus pandemic and hence various parts of India stood for Sri Lanka. The underwater effects have been nicely done, though they aren’t as grand as one expected them to be.
Movie starts on an interesting note as the Afghanistan episode sets the mood that this is an action film with a dash of history. The film falls thereafter but picks up once Aryan reaches Rameshwaram. The scene where he brings the rock sample is applause worthy. The intermission point is intriguing. Post interval, the chase sequence in Jaffna and also how easily Aryan finds the ancient manuscript fail to entice. The Ravana trail episode, though engaging, fails on the level of logic. The courtroom scene is arresting while the last scene helps the film end on a fine note. Overall, it has every ingredient that can make this blockbuster, but it lacks conviction. My view on this movie Recommended for its interesting premise and a well-executed climax
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