Nov 12, 2005 11:01 AM
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(Updated Nov 13, 2005 01:55 PM)
In the latest issue of JAM (Youth Magazine published in Mumbai jamag.com), they have spoof on Hanuman with other Super Heroes. How Hanuman tied Spidey with his tail or burn Superman's dress n make him handicap, or HeMan couln't able to lift his tail etc. That article was a spoof, bur in reality too, I believe Hanuman is One of the Greatest among league of Super Heroes, And arguably he is not FICTIONAL.
Okey now, let me come to Movie.
This is the second animated movie based on Ramayan. First one is a Japanese movie, a timeless classic which was dubbed in hindi too (Amrish Puri gave his voice for Ravan) but failed miserably to attract Indian audience some 6-7 years back.
Hanuman produced by Sahara One is good Animated movie but definately not as good as those Disney / Pixar flicks. It definately shows budget constraints or technical limitations. (I don't know why, but I always compare with LOTR trilogy or Nemo/Incredibles).
But it's the content of epic Ramayana that gets you glued for entire duration i.e. 90 minutes. (I wish movie should be 30-45 minutes longer to include more from epic). We all know main events of Ramayana through our older generations or books or TV serial,
but we don't know much about Hanuman except that he is an ape-GOD with awesome strength, has super-powers, son of PawanDev (Wind) and how he showed image of SitaRam in his heart (i believe, it's the first bypass surgery of the world).
Story
Ram was a seventh avatar of Vishnu. To assist him in his mission to destroy Ravan (exceptional ShivBhakt), Shiva himself decided to come to earth !!!(btw Laxman was avatar of SheshNag).
Hanuman was a child of Kesari n Anjana, (and he was Manasputra of Pawandev like Bhim from Mahabharat). His original name was Maruti (given by Shiva) and was equipped with superpowers from his birth only.
Once he had a fight with Devraj Indra (I really don't like this character from Hindu Mythology, he is like a typical Indian Politician, surrounded by Apsaras n very very fearful to loose his seat) and Indra used his weapon Vrja against him. It broke Maruti's jaw and that's why he was known as Hanuman (Hanu means jaw).
As a child he used to be very naughty so one of the sage cursed him and he forgot his superpowers, but whenever somebody would recall him, he would gain those powers back. Then how he accompanied Sugreev, how he helped Ram to find MataSita, how he conquered Lanka follows.
about Movie
Since this is an animated movie, the primary focus should be on characters and script. Here, they don't have to develop any characters except Hanuman. Writers have successfully given one more dimension to Hanuman, the humorous one. GenX, who watches number of channels on TV, I guess this would prove trump card to attract that segment of audience.
The movie is really fast paced, as they have to conclude entire epic in mere 90 minutes. You don't realize when interval comes and when movie ends. First half-hour is full of excitement and child hanuman is damn cute. After Hanuman joins Ram, you have this deja-vu feeling but because of it's fast pace you would not get bored for a moment.
Background Score is brilliant. Movie starts with Hanuman Chalisa (with a little fast tone, good one) sets tone for older audience. Other two songs ''Mahabali Maharudra'' and ''Akdam Bakdam'' are also very soothing and accelerate narrative. Watch out for the end credits with the song ''Mahabali Maharudra''.
Mukesh Khanna (Shaktiman / Pitamah Bhishma from Mahabharat) gives voice to Hanuman, does full justice. Other dubbing artists are also good, but I wish for more known faces/voices.
This year has movies of various flavours. Hanuman added two more: Mythology and Animation. The movie is enjoyable for audience of all age-groups. In the era of multiplexes, I see no reason for this movie to do badly. Bravo to Sahara One for attempting this one. May be success of this film lead other directors to make more films based on our own superheroes.
Additional Details
There are few things which I was not aware of before watching this movie like:
Hanuman is an Avatar of Shiva.
Hanuman has a son called Makardhwaj. This was really shocking for me (Even for Hanuman too). For additional details, watch movie.
Rating : 3.5 / 5
