MUMBAI: Sunil Lahri, the actor known for his portrayal of Laxman in Ramanand Sagar's 'Ramayan,' recently expressed his disappointment and criticism regarding the ongoing controversy surrounding the film featuring Prabhas and Kriti Sanon. Titled 'Adipurush' and directed by Om Raut, the movie stars Prabhas as Lord Ram, Kriti Sanon as Goddess Sita, Sunny Singh as Laxman, and Saif Ali Khan as Ravan.
After watching the film, Lahri shared his thoughts with the media, stating, "I have seen the film. I am very disappointed after watching the film... The thought that crossed my mind was, why did I go to see the film? I didn't like the picture at all." Lahri highlighted that he only appreciated the background music and cinematography, while everything else left him sorely disappointed.
Even the people sitting around Lahri at the theater were not pleased with the film. He mentioned that some audience members expressed their dissatisfaction, with one person suggesting taking a walk instead of continuing to watch the movie. "After seeing the picture, I had no clue how to react to it. Setting myself aside, since I played a character in Ramayana, even the people who sat around me at the theatre were not happy watching the movie. Two women sat saying to each other, 'Let's get up and take a walk. What nonsense are we watching?' To that, the other woman said, 'Let's see the visual effects if nothing else'. A man sitting next to me told his friend, 'What are they showing in the name of Ramayana?'" he added.
Lahri criticized the film for lacking logic in its characters and execution, emphasizing that it did not feel modern despite attempts to make the characters appear so through tattoos and hairstyles. He mentioned how Hanuman, a significant character from Ramayana, spoke in colloquial language and how Ravan, the antagonist, was portrayed as a blacksmith beating iron, which seemed illogical.
Expressing his initial high expectations for the film due to the extensive discussions surrounding it, Lahri admitted that he was at a loss for words after watching it. He refrained from providing a statement until he had seen the film, but it failed to meet his hopes for a good viewing experience.
'Adipurush,' a Bollywood movie set for release in 2023, draws inspiration from the Hindu mythological epic Ramayan. The film showcases the virtues of Lord Ram, including Dharma, Courage, and Sacrifice, as reflected in its elegant poster. The production faced multiple postponements and controversies over the span of two years. In addition to Prabhas and Kriti Sanon, Sunny Singh and Devdatta Nage appear in supporting roles.
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