20th June 2023, Mumbai: Actor Sunil Lahri, renowned for portraying the role of Lakshman in the iconic TV show Ramayan, has expressed disappointment and shock after watching Prabhas, Kriti Sanon, and Saif Ali Khan starrer Adipurush. Released in theaters on June 16, the film has faced severe criticism from various quarters, with audiences and even the cast of Ramayan (1987) sharing their dissatisfaction. Lahri, in a recent interview with Indian Express, voiced his disappointment, stating that the makers of Adipurush have “destroyed everything.”
Lahri questioned the choices made by the filmmakers, stating, “I really cannot understand who were they (Adipurush makers) catering to. There’s no narration, no story, no characterization. Everything is haywire. They have ruined it in the name of being different.” He further expressed his discontent with the portrayal of characters in the film, emphasizing the lack of emotional connection. Furthermore, Lahri specifically criticized Saif Ali Khan’s look in the movie, drawing comparisons to Indian cricketer Virat Kohli. Lahri highlighted Raavan’s haircut, stating, In an unexpected twist, the characters of Ram and Lakshman merge into an indistinguishable entity, while Raavan’s transformation into a blacksmith forging iron raises perplexity. Adding to the perplexity, Meghnad’s body ink and the outlandish hairstyles of these characters create an unsettling spectacle, culminating in Raavan sporting the same haircut as the renowned cricketer Virat Kohli—an outcome that evokes deep disappointment.
Lahri also pinpointed various inaccuracies and mistakes made by the Adipurush makers, such as the replacement of Lord Ravana’s Pushpak Viman with a bat and the depiction of Ram fighting the war on Hanuman’s shoulder, deviating from the original narrative.In response to the backlash, the Adipurush team announced their intention to revise certain dialogues in the film that have hurt sentiments and faced trolling on social media. The proposed changes are expected to be implemented this week, as the makers strive to address the concerns and expectations of the audience.
By Yashika Desai.