In 2010, Bollywood witnessed the release of Raavan, a movie that delves into the intricate layers of mythology, offering a fresh interpretation of the Ramayana. Directed by the visionary Mani Ratnam, the film places the character of Raavan at its centre, unravelling his complex emotions and moral ambiguities. This bold retelling challenges the traditional view of good and evil, a theme deeply rooted in Indian mythology. Through its characters, Raavan breathes new life into the ancient epic, presenting them in a more humanized and layered form.
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Raavan: The Anti-Hero
Still from Raavan(2010). Image credit: IMDb
In the Ramayana, Raavan is often seen as the demon king, a symbol of pure evil. However, Raavan offers a different portrayal, with Beera Munda (played by Abhishek Bachchan) as a bandit leader who, much like his mythological counterpart, is fierce, intelligent, and powerful. Yet, Beera’s actions are driven by personal tragedy, giving him a sense of justice that isn’t black and white.
The film encourages viewers to empathize with Raavan’s perspective, presenting him as a misunderstood anti-hero rather than a villain. Like the Raavan of mythology, Beera is a symbol of a flawed leader—one who may have done wrong but whose actions stem from deep emotional pain and perceived injustice. This portrayal humanizes Raavan, offering a new angle to the demon king, who is typically seen as a one-dimensional villain.
Sita: The Woman in Conflict
In Raavan, Ragini (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan) symbolizes Sita from the Ramayana, with a modern twist. Kidnapped by Beera, she finds herself trapped in a moral dilemma that echoes the plight of her mythological counterpart. However, unlike Sita, Ragini is portrayed as more than just a helpless victim; she’s a strong, resilient woman who wrestles with her growing understanding of Beera’s motivations.
While Sita in the Ramayana remains steadfast in her loyalty to Rama, Ragini in Raavan is conflicted between her love for her husband, Dev (Vikram), and her empathy towards Beera. This inner turmoil reflects the psychological struggles of being caught between two moral codes—law and justice. Her evolving relationship with Beera adds depth to her character, offering a modern re-interpretation of Sita’s role as more than just a symbol of virtue, but a woman navigating complex emotional and moral landscapes.
Ram: The Pursuit of Justice
Dev, Ragini’s husband, represents Ram in this modern narrative. Dev is a determined police officer, on a relentless mission to rescue his wife and bring Beera to justice. However, Raavan adds nuance to his character by showing him as flawed, questioning the absolute morality often associated with Ram.
In the Ramayana, Ram is seen as the ideal man, maryada purushottam, the embodiment of justice and righteousness. In Raavan, Dev mirrors this sense of duty but shows moral complexities. His pursuit of justice is relentless, but it becomes questionable as he compromises his humanity in the process. The film raises important questions: Is justice always so clear-cut? Can a hero’s righteousness turn into an obsession?
Hanuman: The Loyal Friend
Sanjeevani Kumar (Govinda), Dev’s loyal friend, plays the role of Hanuman in this retelling. Like Hanuman’s unflinching devotion to Ram, Sanjeevani aids Dev in his quest to find Ragini, guiding him through the jungle to Beera’s hideout. His character brings wisdom and a sense of loyalty, much like Hanuman in the original epic.
In Raavan, Sanjeevani adds a layer of adventure and comic relief, but more importantly, he represents the strength of friendship and duty. His unwavering support to Dev mirrors Hanuman’s steadfast loyalty to Ram, symbolizing the powerful bond of devotion that transcends moral dilemmas.
Good vs. Evil: Blurring the Lines
One of the most striking moments in Raavan comes near the end, when the movie flips your understanding of good and evil. In this climactic scene, Dev (Vikram), Raagini’s (Aishwarya Rai) husband, accuses her of being unfaithful and even forces her to take a polygraph test. “Beera ne kaha ki uske haath gande ho sakte hain,” Dev says coldly, “par teri biwi bhi sona nahi hai.”
Raagini, furious and heartbroken, pulls the emergency chain of the train and storms off. She confronts Beera (Abhishek Bachchan), her abductor, demanding answers: “Tumne Dev se kya kaha?”
Beera, stunned that Raagini has come back to see him, walks towards her, his disbelief clear. Then the film takes us back to a critical moment on a creaky bridge where Beera held Dev’s life in his hands. “Main tumhein tumhari biwi ke liye maar bhi sakta hoon,” Beera snarls at Dev, “aur uske liye bacha bhi sakta hoon.”
In that intense moment, Beera makes his choice. “Teri biwi sona hai,” he tells Dev, “Mere haath gande hain, haan, lekin maine teri amanat ko dil se sambhala hai.”
This powerful scene turns the entire story upside down. Raagini—and the audience—realize that the lines between hero and villain aren’t clear anymore. Dev, the so-called righteous cop, is filled with doubt and cruelty, while Beera, the outlaw, shows surprising kindness and loyalty. Suddenly, the question hits: who’s the real hero? Who’s the real villain? Can Beera, a man who seeks vengeance for his sister’s death, be both good and bad at the same time?
This twist adds incredible depth to the film’s message, challenging the simple ideas of good versus evil. It reminds us that sometimes, the people we label as “bad” may have a story that softens their actions, and those we see as “good” might have their own flaws.
A Modern Take on Mythology
Raavan is a cinematic masterpiece that weaves together the mythological elements of the Ramayana with a contemporary narrative. It breathes new life into the characters of Raavan, Sita, and Ram, portraying them as deeply human figures with emotions, flaws, and motivations that go beyond the simplistic moral labels of hero and villain.
Mani Ratnam’s Raavan successfully bridges the gap between mythology and modern storytelling, making us reflect on the nature of morality, justice, and the complexities of human emotions. By humanizing Raavan, the film challenges the black-and-white view of good and evil, leaving us with a fresh perspective on the timeless epic.
