Ram Leela Review

What is it all about?

Superb. Sheer brilliance. Take a bow Sanjay Leela Bhansali. What a sexy, innovative and memorable sumptuous feast for eye and ear. Sanjay Leela Bhansali has stunned William Shakeshphere's four century plus old play with such ambition, passion and imagination that this genuinely fresh take on an oft-told tale of Romeo and Juliet is so daringly energetic, inventive, innovative and colorful but in no way shies away from its touching, poetic innocence. Excellent.

The Story:

Well after Vishal Bhardwaj it's the turn of Sanjay Leela Bhansali to make the genius William Shakesphere proud in heaven. The classic Shakespearean romantic tragedy Romeo Juliet gets updated in today's     Gujarat by Bhansali, Garima and Siddharth. So here are Rajadas and Sanadas at logger heads since five hundred years..

One day a Rajada Ram (Ranveer Singh) bumps into a Sanada Leela (Deepika Padukone) its lust at first sight and love later. Hell breaks loose when the secret is out and how Ram and Leela love triumphs against hate, slaughter and betrayal finds the crux of the film.

What to look out for:

Its sheer vintage Bhansali and this time he is in his complete element. This movie is visual stunner. The grandiosity placing and set design is exceptional. Wasiq Khan production designing is simply marvelous. Its love at first sight for your eyes. Its astounding to see SLB's cinematically vibrant colourfully loud and emotionally clear art framing the sea of Shakespeare's genius in Gujarat shot by shot thanks to Ravi Varman's exceptional camerawork. The song picturisations are dazzlingly very stylish.

The entry of the two angels Ranveer and Deepika in this love story is so stunning.. SLB credentials as a story teller was never questionable. Be it Khamoshi, Black, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Devdas or Guzaarish. Ram - Leela is SLB's answer to those who doubt his commercial versatility and here he gets its right for the viewer's ticket price without compromising on his belief of cinema and sticking to his roots. No mean achievement at all.

Maxima Basu and Anju Modi costume is according to the mood, colour and flavor of the film. Editing by Bhansali and Rajesh Pandey is up to mark.
Shruti Mahajan and Parag Mehta's casting is perfect. The chemistry between Ranveer and Deepika is smoking hot and scintillating. Sexy.

They both share the honour for featuring in b-town's most passionate kiss in recent times. They set the screen on fire whenever they come together.
Deepika Padukone makes a breathtaking Leela merging strength, vulnerability, character into one. Looks stunning and is simply amazing. Deepika is the heart of the film.

Ranveer Singh is a revelation as Ram sensuous, unafraid, spectacular and bang on in his accent.  If Deepika is the heart then Ranveer is the beat in this Rome Juliet in Gujarati heat.

Bhansali Film without the great Indian music is incomplete. And Ram - Leela music is a major highlight. Sniffed in Gujarati folk pride and semi classical routes Bhansali churns out gems like 'Lahu Munh Lag Gaya', 'Nagada Sang Dhol Baaje', 'Tattad Tattad', 'Ang Laga De' and 'Ram Chahe Leela' all are topping charts.

Monty Sharma's background score adds more vibrant energy and boost the proceedings.
The supporting cast does a great job where Supriya Pathak stands out and is simply terrific. Gulshan Devaiah is excellent. Richa Chadda very very good. Abhimanyu Singh is fine.

Priyanka Chopra in `Ram Chahe' sets the stage on fire.

What Not:

The length could have been shorter. Bhansali has remarkably managed the intensity throughout the unnecessary use of foul language to sensationalize the proceedings could have being avoided.  Some narrow minded traditional may not like this broad and open tunes and the flashy sets of this daringly beautiful adaptation.

Conclusion:  Ram - Leela is the most energetic, visually spectacular, daring and extremely passionate film of the year. Ram - Leela will be remembered as the bold and beautiful turning point for Bhansali and Eros.

Rating ****