Mahabharat's Nitish Bharadwaj slams Ramayana as a ‘masala film’ but says an actor was its ‘small saving grace’

Nitish Bharadwaj became a household name after the portrayal of Lord Krishna in BR Chopra's Mahabharat. After the release of Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana: Part One, the actor, in his previous post slammed the movie and the makers for changing the moral framework of Ravana. Now, the actor has once again criticised the movie, this time calling it a "masala movie" that he alleges is misleading the youth.

The actor was disappointed with the portrayal of Hindu mythology in the movie, questioned the film suggestion that the epic- Ramayana, does not have a single author, and Ravan's use of the Ashvamedh horse. Despite his criticism, he found a "small saving grace" in the movie.

Nitish Bharadwaj calls Ramayana a ‘masala film’

On Instagram, Nitish Bharadwaj once again shared his opinion and critiqued the movie. He wrote, "'Masala Film' Ramayan misleads the youth", which he alleged misleads the young viewers about Hindu Dharma, "its heroes and villains and Bharat's golden heritage." His second point of objection was the movie's suggestion that the Ramayan does not have a single author. He refuted it and wrote, "My view: Valmiki is its original author". He called other versions as "creative and geographical adaptations."

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His next argument was that Ravan and Kaikesi were not Asuras, but in fact, belonged to Rakshas Sanskriti. Questioning Ravan's portrayal and his use of the Ashvamedh horse in the movie, he asked, "Then how did he use the Ashvamedh horse in the film?"

He wrapped up the post with a "small saving grace" as he appreciated Arun Govil, the actor who originally played Lord Rama in Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan. In Ranbir Kapoor-starrer, Arun Govil has portrayed the role of Dasharatha. Bharadwaj praised him and wrote, "Arun Govil understood the gravity of a father's grief, acted well and touched the heart."

What did Nitish Bharadwaj say in his earlier criticism of Ramayana?

In his previous post, the actor had questioned the portrayal of Ravan as an "exceptionally liberal, socially just and fair figure" and for him the movie allegedly altered the moral framework of the Ramayan and undermined the purpose of avataar. He further added that he was withdrawing his initial appreciation for Ramayana: Part One and said, "I am deeply upset and disappointed with this film. I withdraw my earlier post about it."

He also criticised the movie's reliance on visual effects and added how a "spectacle of VFX can never substitute for the core values, philosophical depth and spiritual essence of this Mahakavya."