Mythological blockbusters Adipursh promises us technological achievements. The end result seems much more questionable.

For more than two years, director Om Raut has been working on Adipursh, an ambitious adaptation of the Ramayana. Citing Indo-Japanese animated films as models Ramayana: Legend of Prince Rama by Yugo Sako, the filmmaker clearly shows his ambition to revolutionizing Indian style blockbusters. The film had a sizable budget of around 65 million dollars, a higher budget than the recent one Brahmastra which also combines spectacular entertainment and Hindu mythology.

But if Adipursh is a historical event, above all because of it First Indian film shot entirely in motion capture. This motion capture and game technique has been used by big names in Hollywood blockbusters, including Robert Zemeckis, Steven Spielberg and James Cameron. Will Om Raut live up to his role model? The first teaser released yesterday was anything but convincing.

Honestly, the results on the screen are much closer to Why I (don’t) eat my dad under tough amphetamines Tintin’s Adventure: Unicorn’s Secret. Om Raut wanted to give Ramayana a mythological and timeless aesthetic. Create shows that go beyond the limits set by traditional cinema. Sadly, the result seems to be a technological abomination which was probably more than obsolete even before its theatrical release.

We know actor Prabhas (Legend of Baahubali) is capable of great performance, but its game capture offers only a smooth, expressionless face. And to make matters worse, the digital effects are ridiculous, with special attention to dragon-gargoyle who seemed to be wondering why he didn’t just go to the casting Dragon House.

Draky?

Let’s hope that this teaser is more of a marketing faux pas and that the film has something else to offer us. Any, Adipursh will contribute to pushing the Indian technical team towards new technologies. And even if the film seemed like a questionable first attempt, it might— a guinea pig who sets an example for better films and directors in the years to come. Adipursh will be released in theaters on January 12, 2023.