Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama – A Timeless Animated Epic Returns to Theaters in 2025
Updated on : 09 January, 2024
Image Source: Adobe Stock
Table Of Contents
Introduction
Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama," a 1993 animated masterpiece co-produced by Japan and India, is set to make a grand comeback in theaters in 2025. This visually stunning retelling of the ancient Indian epic blends Japanese anime artistry with Indian mythology, offering a timeless tale of courage, devotion, and triumph. With a 4K remaster and multilingual dubs, the film promises a cinematic celebration for audiences worldwide.
About Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama
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Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama is a 1993 animated film co-produced by Japan and India, directed by Yugo Sako. It adapts the ancient Indian epic, the Ramayana, which tells the story of Prince Rama, the seventh avatar of Vishnu. The narrative begins with Rama's exile from Ayodhya due to a conspiracy by his stepmother, Kaikeyi. Accompanied by his devoted wife Sita and loyal brother Lakshmana, Rama embarks on a 14-year journey in the forest.
The plot intensifies when Sita is abducted by Ravana, the demon king of Lanka. In his quest to rescue her, Rama forms alliances with the Vanara army, led by Hanuman and Sugriva. The film showcases themes of duty, honor, and the battle between good and evil as Rama ultimately defeats Ravana and returns to Ayodhya with Sita.
Initially screened at international festivals, the film has gained a cult following over the years. After delays, it is set for a theatrical release in India in 2025, featuring remastered visuals and new language dubs to reach a broader audience.
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Premise
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King Dasharatha of Ayodhya, bound by a boon he granted his third wife Kaikeyi, is compelled to exile Prince Rama for 14 years. Rama, accompanied by his devoted wife Sita and loyal brother Lakshmana, leaves Ayodhya and begins a new life in the forests of Panchavati. Their peace is shattered when Ravana, the demon king of Lanka, abducts Sita to avenge the insult to his sister, Shurpanakha.
Discovering Sita's disappearance, Rama and Lakshmana set out to rescue her. Along the way, they meet Jatayu, a valiant bird who informs them of Ravana's crime. Continuing their journey, they encounter Hanuman and Sugriva, the king of Kishkindha, who lead a group of forest-dwelling Vanaras, humanoid ape-like beings. With the Vanaras' assistance and guidance from Jatayu's elder brother Sampati, they learn of Ravana's fortress in Lanka.
Rama's army marches to Lanka, engages in a fierce battle, and ultimately defeats Ravana and his forces. Sita is reunited with Rama, and they return triumphantly to Ayodhya. The people of Ayodhya celebrate their return with great joy and festivity, marking the end of their journey and the restoration of harmony.
Release
The much-anticipated re-release of Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama has been postponed and will now hit theaters on January 24, 2025, instead of its earlier date of October 18, 2024. Farhan Akhtar announced the update on Instagram, expressing excitement about the revamped release of this iconic animated film.
Directed by Koichi Sasaki and Ram Mohan, the movie is an adaptation of Valmiki's timeless epic, Ramayana. The music, composed by the legendary Vanraj Bhatia, complements the narrative’s grandeur.
To ensure the story resonates with modern audiences, acclaimed screenwriter V Vijayendra Prasad—known for cinematic blockbusters like Baahubali, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, and RRR—has been brought on board to oversee the creative adaptation of this latest version. His expertise aims to balance the contemporary appeal of the film while preserving the essence of the Ramayana.
Originally released in 1993, this Japanese-Indian animated masterpiece is a product of collaboration between India and Japan, led by visionary creators Ram Mohan and Yugo Sako. Combining traditional hand-drawn animation with artistic influences from both cultures, the film retains its charm and visual splendor, staying faithful to the spirit of Indian mythology.
The revamped release promises a cinematic experience for audiences worldwide, bringing the beloved tale of The Legend of Prince Rama to a new generation.
Initial Plans and Delay
The release of Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama was initially scheduled for October 18, 2024. However, due to overwhelming enthusiasm from fans and the desire to ensure a wider reach across India, the release date has been postponed to January 24, 2025. Geek Pictures India announced that this decision reflects their commitment to making the film accessible to audiences nationwide. The upcoming theatrical release will feature a 4K remaster with enhanced audio and will be available in multiple languages, including Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, alongside the original English version.
Voice Cast
English
- Nikhil Kapoor - Rama
- Rael Padamsee – Sita
- Uday Mathan – Ravana
- Mishal Varma – Lakshmana
- Noel Godin – Hanuman
- Bulbul Mukherjee – Dasharatha
- Madhulika Varma – Kaikeyi
- Rahul Bose – Bharata
- Pearl Padamsee – Manthara
- Bhargava Krishna – Kumbhakarna
- Shagufta Jaffrey – Shurpanakha
- Easo Vivin Mathew – Indrajit
- Denzil Smith – Sugriva
- Cyrus Broacha – Angada
- Dodo Bhujwala – Additional Voices
- Rohan Arthur – Additional Voices
- Avi Shroff – Additional Voices
- Akash Sharma S - Additional Voices
- Salome Parikh – Additional Voices
- Farid Saboonchi – Additional Voices
- Leeya Mehta – Additional Voices
Hindi
- Shatrughan Sinha – Narrator
- Arun Govil – Rama
- Namrata Sawhney – Sita
- Shakti Singh – Lakshmana
- Adarsh Gautam – Bharata
- Dilip Sinha – Hanuman
- Amrish Puri – Ravana
- Harjeet Walia – Dasharatha
- Sava – Kaikeyi
- Manju Bhatia – Manthara
- Rakesh Vidua – Jatayu
- Umesh Sharma – Jambavan
- Raj Joshi – Sugriva
- Pradeep Shukla – Kumbhakarna
Music
Image Source: Adobe Stock
There are different songs for the Original English Version (sung in Sanskrit) and the Hindi Dub version (sung in Hindi), both are listed below.
English version (Sanskrit track listing), All lyrics are written by Vasant Dev
| No. | Title | Singer(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Panchvati Man Bhavan Upwan | Kavita Krishnamurthy |
| 2 | Janani Main Ramdoot Hanuman | Vinod Rathod |
| 3 | Nirjhar Jal | Suresh Wadkar & Kavita Krishnamurthy |
| 4 | Shri Raghuvar Ki Vanar Sena | Chorus |
| 5 | Jai Lankeshwar | Chorus |
Hindi version (Hindi track listing), All lyrics are written by P.K. Mishra
| No. | Title | Singer(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sumiran Karle Mannwa | Kavita Krishnamurthy |
| 2 | Panchvati Man Bhavan Upwan | Sadhana Sargam |
| 3 | Janani Main Rama Doot Hanuman | Udit Narayan |
| 4 | Ashru Nayan Se | Hariharan & Kavita Krishnamurthy |
| 5 | Shri Raghuvar Ki Vaanar Sena | Chorus |
| 6 | Jai Lankeshwar | Chorus |
| 7 | Ram Bolo | Channi Singh |
Production
In 1983, while working on the documentary The Ramayana Relics about excavations by Dr. B. B. Lal in Uttar Pradesh, Yugo Sako became captivated by the story of the Ramayana. Deeply intrigued, he read ten different versions of the epic in Japanese. Sako believed that animation was the best medium to bring the Ramayana to life, as he felt it would be impossible to capture the true essence of the divine figure of Ram through live-action. He envisioned an animated adaptation that could resonate globally.
After The Ramayana Relics was published in The Indian Express on April 25, 1983, a misunderstanding led to a protest from the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), who objected to a foreigner cinematizing the Ramayana. Despite the confusion, Sako explained his vision to the VHP and the Indian government, emphasizing animation as a serious art form. While the government initially agreed, it later declined the proposal, citing the sensitivity of the subject and the ongoing Ayodhya dispute.
Undeterred, Sako decided to raise funds in Japan for the film's production. TEM Co., Ltd. provided financing, and a new studio, Nippon Ramayana Film Co., Ltd., was established. The film’s production began in 1990, with 450 artists working together to depict Indian customs and traditions accurately in the animation.
Reception
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When Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama was screened at the Vancouver International Film Festival, festival director Alan Franey described it as "extraordinary", praising the detailed backgrounds and the characters, which he noted resembled an Indian version of Disney's style with large, expressive eyes.
However, the film received mixed reviews. In Variety, Ken Eisner criticized it for being "relentlessly paced" and stated that it wasn't particularly visually appealing. On the other hand, Madhu Jain of India Today found the film "charming", despite some minor flaws. She humorously noted that Sita appeared "like Snow White in a saffron sari" and described Rama as "lily white", moving and bowing like a Samurai warrior, suggesting one might expect him to say "sayonara" at any moment.
Social Media reaction
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When Farhan Akhtar shared the update on X (formerly Twitter), it sparked a range of reactions from social media users.
One user expressed excitement, writing, “So glad you guys are bringing this one to the big screens! Fabulous film.”
Another user, however, raised a concern, stating, "I wish you would have released it in Kannada as well". Taking my nephew to this movie would have been a dream. Using Bangalore Market just for income and ignoring its native language by imposing Hindi in every theatre without a Kannada option could lead to government action.”
Alternative version
In the United States, Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama was released under the title The Prince of Light: The Legend of Ramayana or Warrior Prince, by Krishna Shah and Showcase Entertainment. This version featured a localized English dub, with narration by James Earl Jones and Rama voiced by Bryan Cranston. Additional music by Alan Howarth was added, and the film's runtime was shortened to 90 minutes. It was released on November 9, 2001.
Robert Koehler, reviewing the film for Variety, gave it a critical assessment. He described the film as a "curious fusion" of a simplified literary adaptation with "second-rate animation techniques" and criticized the "blatantly American vocal casting and direction", which he felt were misaligned with the ancient Indian setting.
Despite the criticism, the film won the "Best Animation Film of the Year" award at the Santa Clarita International Family Film Festival. In 2001, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences introduced the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, and Ramayana was one of the nine films that qualified for a nomination. However, it ultimately did not receive a nomination.
Conclusion
"Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama" stands as an important cultural artifact that bridges two distinct artistic traditions—Japanese anime and Indian mythology. Its upcoming release marks not only a celebration of storytelling but also an opportunity for new generations to experience this timeless epic in a contemporary format. As audiences prepare for its arrival in theaters on January 24, 2025, anticipation continues to build around this animated classic that has captivated hearts for over three decades.
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