In a recent interview with ANI, renowned actor Sunil Lahri, best known for his portrayal of Laxman in Ramanand Sagar’s iconic series ‘Ramayan’, shared his thoughts on the ongoing controversy surrounding the Prabhas and Kriti Sanon starrer ‘Adipurush’. Lahri expressed his disappointment after watching the film and conveyed his dissatisfaction with various aspects of the movie.
Reflecting on his experience, Lahri candidly stated, “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.” While acknowledging the film’s commendable background music and cinematography, he highlighted that these were the only two elements that left a positive impression on him.
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Lahri further revealed the collective dissatisfaction of the audience he witnessed while watching the film. He recounted, “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.” He shared instances of discontent expressed by other viewers, with some even contemplating walking out of the screening. Lahri mentioned, “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?'”
Lamenting the film’s lack of modernity, Lahri questioned the portrayal of characters and the execution of the storyline. He remarked, “This is not even a modern film. From which angle is it modern? By having characters sport tattoos, does a film become modern? Or is it the hairstyle of today?” He further criticized the illogical aspects of the film, expressing his confusion regarding the intended target audience and their reception. Lahri particularly raised concerns about the depiction of Hanuman speaking colloquially and Ravan being portrayed as a blacksmith, stating, “They made Hanuman-ji speak the language of the streets. Ravan is shown as beating iron. Is he a blacksmith?”
Expressing his initial expectations and hopes for the movie, Lahri admitted, “I had a lot of expectations from this movie. Since it was talked about so much, I had hoped it would make for a good viewing experience.” However, he found himself at a loss for words after watching the film, unable to provide a definitive statement.
Directed by Om Raut, ‘Adipurush’ features Prabhas as Lord Ram, Kriti Sanon as Goddess Sita, Sunny Singh as Laxman, and Saif Ali Khan as Ravan. While the film has sparked controversy and divided opinions, Lahri’s candid critique sheds light on his disappointment with the overall execution and portrayal in ‘Adipurush’.
