Manoj Muntashir Makes an Emotional Appeal: ‘Don’t Compare Ramayana to Adipurush’
Ever since Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana started making headlines, I've noticed one discussion popping up everywhere—people are already comparing it with Adipurush. Recently, lyricist and writer Manoj Muntashir requested audiences not to compare the two films, and honestly, I think his appeal deserves attention.
Why Manoj Muntashir Wants Comparisons to Stop
According to Manoj Muntashir, every filmmaker should get the chance to tell their own version of the Ramayana without carrying the burden of previous adaptations. He believes audiences should judge Ramayana only after watching it instead of forming opinions based on what happened with Adipurush.
I can understand where he's coming from. Since he wrote the dialogues for Adipurush, he personally experienced the intense criticism the film received. From controversial dialogues to visual effects and creative decisions, the backlash became one of Bollywood's biggest talking points in recent years.
Why Adipurush Became So Controversial
When Adipurush released in 2023, expectations were incredibly high because of its massive budget and its adaptation of one of India's most respected epics. However, many viewers felt disappointed with its dialogues, character designs, and visual effects.
Even though the film performed well commercially, the criticism continued for months across social media. That experience showed just how emotionally connected audiences are to stories like the Ramayana.
Why Expectations for Ramayana Are Even Higher
Now, all eyes are on Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, and Yash. Reports suggest it's one of the biggest Indian film projects ever made, with world-class visual effects and an enormous production budget.
Personally, I think the excitement isn't just because of the cast. Nitesh Tiwari has built a reputation for strong storytelling, and that's why fans are expecting a faithful and emotionally powerful adaptation of the epic.
My Take
I believe comparisons between films are natural, especially when they're based on the same legendary story. However, comparing a movie before it's even released doesn't seem fair.
Every director has a different vision, every actor brings a unique performance, and filmmaking continues to evolve. Whether Ramayana succeeds or not should depend on its own storytelling rather than the legacy of another film.
At the end of the day, audiences will decide the film's fate after watching it. Until then, I think it's worth giving Ramayana the opportunity to create its own identity instead of judging it through the lens of Adipurush.
