Movie Review : Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela’
Cast: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Richa Chadda, Supriya Pathak, Gulshan Deviah
Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Release date: 15 November 2013
Running time: 155 minutes
Sanjay Leela Bhansali who brought us award winning films such as Black, Devdas and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam brings yet another multicolored, intense and exquisitely made love story like no other. An eclectic cast suitable for all the profound role requirements and with fresh faces we seldom see in the typical hindi films, there is no doubt that Ram-Leela was the ideal canvas to bring forth such a cinematic masterpiece.
To be somewhat succinct, it’s Hollywood’s adaptation of “Romeo and Juliet”. Ram-Leela is a film based on a backdrop of violence and revenge. It surely brings forth this premise early in the movie, of how open the village is with the selling of guns. As the movie progresses, countless scenes of brawls ensue which precede lots of action oriented gun fire shoot outs between the town’s two prominent local gangs; the Rajadis and Saneras – in a small Gujrati town.
Ram (Ranveer Singh) from the Rajadis is a peacemaker, interested in chasing women and selling adult films rather than being violent like the rest of his family. Leela (Deepika Pudakone) from the Saneras who is compelled to marry an NRI from London is rebellious and would do what it takes to be with her love, despite having a remorseful mother “Baa” brilliantly played by Supriya Pathak. Ram and Leela’s chemistry came across natural. Kids beware there are some steamy scenes. Music composer for the second time around, director Sanjay Leela Bansali added a lot of folk influences to the songs. The two dance styles went from sultry to Garba. And you can find yourself composing your own dance moves for Osman Mir’s, “Tattad Tattad”, “Ishqyaun Dhishqyaun” by Aditya Narayan (son of Udit Narayan) and one of my favorites “Nagada” sung by Shreya Ghoshal. In all Indian movies, the musical pieces always set the emotional tone and aura for the story line, and this was no exception in Ram-Leela as the musical frames were extraordinary and stimulated the perfect nature for each song.
The plot was inventive and movie flowed rapidly. I was glued to the screen and was kept to the edge of my seat. However on one point later in the movie, I was getting a little too anxious to find out the conclusion and felt like I wanted the ending to come sooner. The visual effects were impeccable although sometimes the peacock scenes seemed too digital. Actress/Singer Priyanka Chopra delivered an unforgettable item number for the title track ‘Ram chahe Leela chahe’ with some killer dance moves.
In essence and conclusion, Ram-Leela has a few surprises, twists and turns that is bound to keep your minds wondering. It definitely brings forth an immeasurable degree of entertainment, with an avalanche of action and suspense that surely evokes every emotion within you. Important to note that amidst all these aspects, the indelible love story depicted still proves to be the main protagonist here. I think its appeal to audiences globally would be best appreciated on the big screen as one of this years’ big block buster’s and surely is a must watch for all those Hindi Movie Fanatics.