ADIPURRUSH
Let’s say you want to watch “Adipurush,” a new Indian mythological action fantasy, without thinking so much well-nigh what came surpassing it. You want to enter the theater with as little valise as possible, despite the associations that come with the marquee-topping Prabhas, star of both S.S. Rajamouli’s trend-setting “Baahubali” period whoopee fantasies. Maybe you want to see an unconfined version of The Ramayana, or the most wontedly well-timed parts of that Sanskrit language epic poem, where the arrow-slinging god Raghava, moreover known as Ram (Prabhas), rescues his kidnapped wife Sita, or Janaki (Kriti Sanon) from the evil multi-headed god Lankesh/Ravana (Saif Ali Khan“Adipurush” just opened here in America, but it’s once controversial in India, where the writers of trend pieces, interviews, and reviews consider the implications of Lankesh’s appearance, including his weird nu-metal gel-spiked haircut, which has led to some comparisons to the Muslim leader Alauddin Khilji. Sanon’s tossing as Sita has moreover led to outrage and, unfortunately, constructive demands for censorship. (Some outspoken protesters don’t like that Sanon, the actress playing Sita, “India’s Daughter,” has danced suggestively in older movies.)Is it possible to see, let vacated enjoy, such a typical story without making too many distracting comparisons, either to other movies or real-life politics? Or are those associations simultaneously the biggest yank and problem for “Adipurush,” whose Sanskrit title can be read as “First Man,” and whose considerable upkeep (Rs 500 crore, or well-nigh $67 million) tangibly surpasses all prior Indian mega-productions? Honestly, the movie’s rough computer graphics might eclipse all other considerations since there’s so much bad green-screen image-compYour mileage may vary, but slapdash and tacky-looking special effects make the first hour (or more) of “Adipurush” finger interminable. Here in Manhattan’s Union Square theater, at a packed Thursday afternoon matinee, the raucous screams of Prabhas’ fans soon faded without his triumphant first scene, when Raghava scrutinizingly single-handedly dispatches a horde of demonic wraiths. It took a moment to hear the auditorium’s silence underneath the movie’s typically wordy soundtrack, but it was sooner glaring. “Adipurush” has been pre-sold to viewers based on what they once know: how can you go wrong by adapting a popular epic featuring superheroic Hindu gods, uncanny valley animal people, and monstrous villains? Well, have you seen any good Marvel movies lately?
Genres: Action, Adventure, Drama
Director: Om Raut
Writers: Manoj Muntashir, Om Raut
Stars: Kriti Sanon, Saif Ali Khan, Prabhas
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