Ram-Leela
wogma rating: Watch but no rush (?)
Is an engaging first hour that takes you downhill through a stretched, predictable and melodramatic rest of the film, good enough? Just might be.
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Ram-Leela - Preview
I was surprised to know that a lot of people I know personally are looking forward to watching Ram Leela. I first wondered if it was Ranbir Singh's pull or Deepika Padukone's or is it Sanjay Leela Bhansali? But, the trailer too are as interestingly put together.
A love story set amidst political/feudal rift is hardly a new idea. But, the crisp execution, the chemistry between the lead actors have a freshness about them that you want to see more of. I really hope the story has a little more meat than the standard love against all odds. The promo material seems to suggest there will be.
Unfortunately, the songs sound repetitive from Bhansali's earlier films. Also, despite their energy and chemistry, the effort on the songs is too visible, too transparent.
Yet, a romance where you can sense the chemistry between the two lovers is something to look forward to. Alas, the last time that happened after looking at a trailer was with Shudh Desi Romance, which ended up being pretty unremarkable. Here's hoping we have more than that in store with Ram-Leela.
Music Reviews:
Bollyspice - "2/5"
Bollywood Hungama - "3.5/5"
dunkdaft - "What I love most is how they used original, Gujarati instruments and tunes throughout the album."
glamsham - "3.5/5"
IBN Live, IANS - "4/5"
Milliblog - "limited progress for Sanjay as a composer."
Music Aloud - "7.5/10"
- meeta, a part of the audience
From love at first sight to till-death-do-us-part style, crazy love via the banter and misunderstandings that any relationship goes through - Ram-Leela has it all, in gorgeous frames, amongst lots of song and dance. That also makes it predictable, long and over-dramatized.
For a better part of the first half Ram-Leela is completely engaging. The set-up is intriguing, the language brash and earthy, the characters draw interest and of course it is all very pretty. What also happens hand-in-hand though is that everything is a little overdone. For example, the songs are breathtakingly beautiful but go on for a little too long; I actually laughed out loud at an innuendo and then it is stretched further to kill the joke; similarly the characters, at least the side characters, get a little too repetitive.
The two central characters though keep you hooked - for the first hour. It is difficult to say whether that is because of the vivacious performances, or the strong-minded characters, or the chemistry between the lead pair or just that they look jaw-droppingly beautiful, or their colorful costumes or lack thereof. Or it could be just that you are soaking in the atmosphere. Or all of the above - you are hooked. Even so much so that you overlook the implausibility of it all. You enter the fairytale, alright.
The side characters too, hold their own both in terms of performances and the screen space they are given. Gulshan Devaiah and Richa Chadda have nicely layered characters - especially considering they are a part of a large canvas and there are many small characters to share the space with. Similarly, given how uni-dimensional Supriya Pathak's character is, she does a pretty decent job of instilling fear.
Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone themselves are oozing oomph. At the same time, their presence is more than that. The pulsating sexual tension between them isn't a regular feature in Hindi films. Ranveer Singh is creating quite a space for himself as a romantic lead hero. Deepika Padukone too, not only looks prettier by the day but also engages as a performer.
After that first hour though, because of the impact of how the film began, you wait for something more and better to happen. Unfortunately, the film pretty much takes the route you predicted at the end of this first hour.
Other than the overall love angle, the story tries to touch upon a current social issue. But, it comes out of nowhere and doesn't get too much attention in the main scheme of things, later. It thus, ends up looking like an afterthought. Sure, there are a few twists that you sit up to, but the impact fizzles out, because again it is either long-drawn or melo-dramatized by slow motion.
These things only slow down the proceedings towards a climax that you know all about. There's loads of violence too and some of it gory. While it does become all about one shooting the other shooting the one, there were a couple of chase sequences that I really liked - despite the slow-motion. The sound design and choreography is slick.
In fact, each frame is picture perfect, the lighting in each frame looks divine. But, that is the very least you expect from a Sanjay Leela Bhansali film, right? And I can watch almost any film of his for just that atmosphere. Even though, he goes all masala on you this time, barely clad men, women with backless blouses in a conservative set-up, item number and all!
If you can too, you just might not mind Ram-Leela. Once, any way.
- meeta, a part of the audience
Thumbs up, by Subhash K. Jha , Apun Ka Choice : ..."Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela" is the most vital romantic musical in the last five years. To experience it is to serenade the divine. To miss it would be a crime... full review
Thumbs up, by Yashika Mathur, Apun Ka Choice : ...The strong point of the "Ram Leela" album is the soft romantic songs. Bhansali has put his best 'musical' foot forward. It deserves to be heard and enjoyed.... full review
Thumbs up, by Taran Adarsh, Bollywood Hungama : ...It's a work of outstanding artistry. No two opinions about it. A masterpiece by the master craftsman Sanjay Leela Bhansali! ... full review
Thumbs up, by Khalid Mohamed, Deccan Chronicle : ... Looking drop dead gorgeous and going at her part with a wallop, she’s the prime asset of 'Ram-Leela'. Eminently worth a dekko.... full review
Thumbs up, by Smita, Desi Martini : ...A beautifully crafted, well paced film with a strong story and great acting and sets. What more can I say... full review
Thumbs up, by Nikhil Arora, Desi Martini : ...Ram-leela works due to three reasons: Deepika Padukone, Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Deepika Padukone. ... full review
Thumbs up, by Rony D'costa, Desi Martini : ...Music, set design and sizzling chemistry ki ras leela is what Bhansali's Ram Leela is all about ... full review
Thumbs up, by Ameetbhuvan, Desi Martini : ... For all its visual splendor, Ram Leela has no particular point to prove, save for the fact that Bhansali and excess are synonymous ... full review
Thumbs up, by Sarita Tanwar, DNA : ...This is a film by a true romantic, who is brimming with crazy passion. If you share that with him, watch it.... full review
Thumbs up, by Swayamsrestha Kar, fullhyd.com : ...Go watch Ram-Leela. Although hardly perfect, it is a beautiful impassioned ode to the bard we all love, and deserves to be watched.... full review
Thumbs up, by Rajeev Masand, IBN Live : ...In the end it is Bhansali - credited for screenplay, editing, music, and direction - who leaves his stamp all over the film.... full review
Thumbs up, Indicine : ...Ram Leela is back to form stuff from the showman of the post-Subhas Ghai era. He knocks it out of the park with his Gujarati Romeo Juliet adaptation.... full review
Thumbs up, by Mohar Basu, koimoi : ...the film despite its ostentatious feel is at core a fierce love story enacted effectively by Ranveer and Deepika. Putting up an astonishingly prodigious chemistry, the duo pull through the film with might... full review
Thumbs up, by Shubha Shetty-Saha, MiD DAY : ...Ram-Leela is definitely a unique, deserving nothing but the big screen experience.... full review
Thumbs up, by Jaidev Hemmady, Movie Talkies : ...If passionate love stories rock your world, Ram Leela is a must watch!... full review
Thumbs up, by Mansha Rastogi, Now Running.com : ...Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela has brilliance written all over it. One of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's finest. Yes, there are flaws but it isn't said for no reason that imperfections make a thing more real... full review
Thumbs up, by Lidia Ostepeev , Planet Bollywood : ...A team of choreographers was responsible for these beautiful sequences among them - Ganesh Acharya, Samir Tanna, Arsh Tanna, Vishnu Deva and Terrence Lewis. ... full review
Thumbs up, by Sonia Chopra, Sify Movies : ...The cinematography by Ravi Varman matches step with Bhansali’s vision, the performances are beautiful, and the chemistry will keep you riveted.... full review
Thumbs up, by Meena Iyer, Times of India : ...Deepika is breathtaking and in top form. Ranveer displays his six packs and histrionics with fair ease... full review
Thumbs up, by Rummana Ahmed, yahoo! India : ...Goliyon Ka Raasleela Ram-leela’ is visually spectacular but the love story makes little impression.... full review
Thumbs up, by Gayatri Sankar, Zee News : ...Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s films have always been high on passion. His films have given us visual references to his incredible imagination and storytelling prowess. And the mise-en-scene has always reflected his fetish for perfection!... full review
So-So, by Pooja Rao, Bolly Spice : ...Ram-Leela, the thrill of being a fulfilling movie experience. Consuming, thoroughly entertaining, with little unexpected surprises and twists that keep you engaged for most part of it, Ram-Leela is well worth a watch.u... full review
So-So, by Namrata Thakker, Bollywood Life : ... Don’t expect too much and you’ll be satisfied after watching the film... full review
So-So, Daily Bhaskar : ... A lust story amid bloodshed & Bhansali's extravagance ... full review
So-So, by Piyasree Dasgupta, FirstPost : ... Ram Leela is almost like that chick-flick pretending to be noir, or a noir killed by its secret wish to be a romantic musical. For all its beauty, it’s a baffling film.... full review
So-So, by Shubhra Gupta, indian express : ...Ram-Leela' creates a couple that ignites the screen, and most of the time when these two are on screen, you keep watching.... full review
So-So, by Sanjukta Sharma, Live Mint : ...The lead pair is played radiantly by Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone. Singh seems to fit neatly into the Bhansali scheme of histrionics... full review
So-So, by Divya Solgama, MoviezADDA : ...On overall basis a decent comeback from the ace film maker, though not in his best form. But due to average screenplay, tiring length and connectivity with the theme of the film, viewers will end up with little bit of disappointment. Thus, would sum it up by saying that this time 'leela toh acchi rachi lekin ram wali baat nahin thi'... full review
So-So, by Karan Anshuman, Mumbai Mirror : ...So can we reward a film for the way it looks, superlative acting, and a director who knows exactly what he's doing despite the indulgence in the writing department... full review
Thumbs down, by Baradwaj Rangan, Blogical Conclusion, The New Sunday Express : ... Ram-Leela is so generic, it could have been made by anyone with the sense to hire a good cinematographer and art director. After a while, there’s nothing to see except the calligraphy on the curtains and the murals on the walls. Bhansali, earlier, had vision; now he just has visuals.... full review
Thumbs down, by Bobby Sing, Bobby Talks Cinema.com : ...RAM-LEELA - Bhansali's another self-obsessed film, which is visually stunning with few notable performances but how many times I am supposed to watch the same story again & again. ... full review
Thumbs down, Cinemaa Online : ...It happens with all Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s films—they are extravagant, flamboyant, loud, the unoriginal content packaged into Incredible India ad style visuals... full review
Thumbs down, by Aneela Zeb Babar, Desi Martini : ...Apt that a movie calling itself Goliyo Ki Rasleela wants me to put a goli through my head. Or at least a Saridon ki goli ... full review
Thumbs down, by Deepa Deosthalee, Film Impressions : ...Although objectively speaking, he's right. What's Ram Leela if not an amalgam of Shantaram and Kondke channelled through Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet at the designer village nautanki?... full review
Thumbs down, by Rachit Gupta, Filmfare : ...Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-leela is an illogical love tale dressed up in opulence. A classic case of looks can be deceptive... full review
Thumbs down, by Martin D'Souza, Glamsham.com : ...Apart from the lead pair, Supriya Pathak, Gulshan Devaiah and Richa Chadda stand out in their respective roles. ... full review
Thumbs down, by Saibal Chatterjee, NDTV : ...Goliyon ki Raasleela Ram-Leela is all body and no soul. ... full review
Thumbs down, by Raja Sen, Rediff : ...At one point in this silly, wasteful, loud film with many a shifting accent, Ranveer Singh’s Ram, a leading man addicted to selfies, takes a picture of himself and Deepika’s Leela, proclaiming that it be announced immediately across Twitter (!) that Ram-Leela are now one.... full review
Thumbs down, by Karan Bali, Upper Stall : ...Finally, for all its visual and technical strengths and some fine performances, Goliyon ki Raasleela Ram-Leela fails to dig itself out of the hole it creates for itself by taking on an overtly familiar and hackneyed scenario and just not being able to do enough with it. ... full review
Zoeviccaji: Really enjoyed ram leela!
write2shivam: Watched #RamLeela Just Amazing ! :D
vishu_ishtaar: IMDB has given #RamLeela 7.4 Rating ...... Amazing ..... Praiseworthy and most of all Deserving ..... Hatss off to SLB sir !!!
vidhivpatel: Hatss of to ranvir singh and dipika padukone...such a touching movie dat ever seen..!!!!...again awesome both of u..!!!!..luv @ramleela..
vchowdhary: Enjoyed sexy RamLeela
vasumummadi: hi guys just watch "ramleela" movie i enjoyed it thoroughly becz of the mindblowing performance by deepika & ranveer, grt dir by s.b. sir..
vanziiiee: Sanjay leela bhansali,how do yu make such greats films? #raamleela was an amazing experience..dil le lia
Ujala95: #RamLeela is a beautiful movie :D tragic love story, would make #shakespeare proud! @deepikapadukone stunning performance! <3
therealshaydes: Ram Leela... No words
Thenehworld: Watch RamLeela GOLIYON KI RAASLEELA RAM-LEELA ought to be watched for multiple reasons: the electrifying... https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=239348449555098&id=100004398342391
TeenaSingh90: I saw Ramleela. IT IS A GOOD FILM. Taking a lot of rush. But not good for children due to too much violence.
Team_SalmanKhan: Simple Ram Leela Is OSM Movie. Must Watch Guyssss... Maza aavi gai. @Ramleela_Movie
snigam78: Ram-Leela awesome movie.
sisodiya_mohit: Just saw ramleela..@RanveerOfficial steals the show he is par excellence..super star in the years to come @SanjayLeelaB again proves.......
shubambanu03: Saw Ramleela ystrdy awesome movie so far best f dis yr bacame fan f @RanveerOfficial nd @deepikapadukone today.Thnks SLB fr brgin dm tgthr.
ShivstrStallion: #Ramleela really wonderful grand and what not a complete love story... @ramleela
shivangimenonn: #RamLeela I loved this movie! The visuals were beautiful. And the story is just so intense! Well done @RanveerOfficial @deepikapadukone ❤️
shikshu: Ram-Leela a must watch musical romantic movie...loved @RanveerOfficial & @deepikapadukone they set d screen on fire.
Shelbylakhan: Ram-Leela is such a good movie
sheetal_maurya: Jhakass mrng 2 all.... Ramleela rocks up
shammu_143: Raamleela khatham thoh... Picture bhi khatham. It's an eye feasting movie yaar...
ShahidzDevotee: Watched #Ramleela... Superb performances by @deepikapadukone, @RanveerOfficial, Richa Chadda and Supriya Pathak! Deeps took my heart away.:)
sagarsahil8: Ram-leela is an awesome movie, everybody should see it once.
rutu2210: RamLeela- Mr.Bhansali-most amazing director.Ranvir Singh-Hot .Deepika - Most beautiful lady.Supriya Pathak complete justice to her character
RrahulDPsmile: Ram-Leela.... What a superb direction by Sir Sanjay Leela Bhansali ... MasterPiece
RobinPrabjeet99: Bahut Dino baad itni badiya movie dekhi hai "RAMLEELA @RanveerOfficial
rebelleutionary: ram leela was sooo good! everybody was good but ranveer singh was the best. he definitely stole the show!
ranjinibubbles: Watched ramleela w mum and dad yesterday . To me it's nice . Seemed like literature .
rajpablo: GKB: RAM LEELA - WOW - visually spectacular - a love story with a twist set in a magical SLB world-... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_frF4Cm-7SQ
raj_ardeshna: Awesome movie,speechless, @deepika and @ranveer best acting till this day, #ramleela deserves more than 5 star...
rahyl008: marvelous movie.....#RamLeela #deepika was awsme and #ranvir was dashing ...faadu movie
Radznanda: #RamLeela ke last scene mein I cried ... Kya yaar yeh #Ishq is really a mean thing to happen to anyone
puja_Swag: #RamLeela was a good movie
pranavkohli: #RamLeela great movie... @deepikapadukone @RanveerOfficial amazing acting.. Treat to watch http://twitter.com/pranavkohli/status/401374350068428800/photo/1
pooja_udeshi: Ramleela was such a beautiful movie
patelyash664: #RamLeela hands down one of the best movie of the year.
patel_bhavi: #RamLeela WAS AMAZING! Haven't seen this great of a Bollywood movie in a while!!!! And Ranveer
Nilzrav: Whatever you pay for the tickets of #RamLeela, guarantee that it will be worth the money. GO & WATCH just for your love of Cinema! #RamLeela
niksindia: #Ramleela Indian Romeo Juliet... Excellent Cinematography Art. Deepika is breathtakingly gorgeous.. And above all SLB
nikhilmhatre17: Ram-Leela awesome movie. Deepi and Ranveer rocks.
nightingalevoic: #RamLeela such a bang on chemistry of Ranveer and Deepika...luv u both...
nayan_shukla: #RamLeela Mind Blowing. . I could watch it again. .
namrataroy: Watched #RAM_LEELA. Totally spellbound ! One word - #beautiful ! In love with colors of #RAM_LEELA.
Nabajyo63024136: Jst watched Ramleela..an outstanding movie..congrats SLV , Ranveer n Dipika..good work guys..
my_kapil: Roking movie 'Goliyo ki rasleela (ramleela)' plz watch it
MPARMAR47: Aashiq ke hath marna mile to,jina kis kambhakht ko hai;Zinda jisko jannat mili,marne ke baad ki kisko padi hai...#RamLeela ..loved it..4/5
mangoesxo: Must must must go watch Ram-leela next week #thatistheplan
maahin: Really enjoyed Ram-Leela. A lot to process, but thought it was well done, and both Ranveer and Deepika do well.
lubna_amir: The story could've been better,but the acting and screenplay more than made up for it.And the color stays after the movie is over. #RamLeela
LoriSamantha_13: The most intense passionate movie I've ever seen. #ramleela @deepikapadukone @RanveerOfficial you guys are gods.
kunnugandhi: Watch #RamLeela for outstanding visuals. Spectacular !!!
kumud804: Ramleela movie a colourful treat to eyes and heart.
KoKoInspiresMe: My god @deepikapadukone @RanveerOfficial you guys are on fire what chemistry man what chemistry pheww #Ramleela #FAADUMOVIE #AWESOME #LOVE
kirankoona: #RamLeela Just Awesome. Epic by #sanjayleelabhansali ...
kevinstars71: Every1 must look RamLeela than Dhoom3. SLB always hav sense in his movies. Devdas awesome /Srk & Ais did brilliant. Deep&Ranveer ar lovely.
Kashfia_15: Amazing movie with some amazing people <3 #RamLeela
KapiilParwani: Ram leela :)8-)
Kanika_Dutta: ramleela #InLove
JigsThanki1987: chemistry of #DeepikaPadukone #RanveerSingh superb.. #RamLeela
jaypratapsing17: Saw @ramleela yestetday .......awesome movie .........great work....my favourite....#ramkileelahai #leelajaisakoinhi.#ramleelarocks.........
JankikiP94: OMG Ramleela was inspired by Romeo and Juliet! This movie is about to be so good
iamchiranjeevee: #Superb m0vi #Ramleela guys u must watch it..
iAkangsha: 140 characters are definitely not enough for me to tweet about #RamLeela. Three words:Im In Love
gajsa22: Ramleela....thumbsup....!!
FarziGlam_Girl: RamLeela... Amazing movie.. Beautiful and grand.. Deepika was excellent and so was Ranvir. Sanjay Leela Bhansali....You Genius!!
DPHBB: Ram-Leela : the classy love story in the history of bollywood ?
Dipak63: Ramleela wil create grt dhamal
Dhoom3_SK: Today watched #RamLeela .A perfect weekend treat.Another triumph for Bhansali. Superb #Direction,#Acting,#Cinematography.
deepas_world: Just watched #RamLeela and I am speechless.
butterbitch: Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela , it's a must to watch everyone . Whomever who'd watched it so far never did regret .
BookLuster: OK. RamLeela made me cry buckets. If Lootera was beautiful, RamLeela will bind you in a spell. The movie won't make a lot of money.
bhavinjadav: #RamLeela has been watched. Intense. All of Bhansali signatures, brilliant performances and not a full moment.
BharityaNaarii: Watched #RamLeela last night, must say not as bad as people had portrayed it. Pretty good in fact. And above all, DEEPIKA ❤️
BeryPhunny: I think I loved Supriya Pathak the most in Ram Leela. The "No Moar" dialogue being the best. :D Kudos to the dialogue-writer! :D
bebo_desii: Every scene was so good and lovely #RamLeela
Balveeen: Fatigue eyes Didn even blink for a sec in d whole movie !! A perfect blend of Passion love and emotions @deepikapadukone STUNNING #RamLeela
Arth_Hybrid: #RamLeela super Awesome..! ♥ @deepikapadukone I luv uh
AnubhootiS: #RamLeela is certainly a visual delight. Sanjay Leela Bhansali once again proves how good he is at playing with colors. 'Ye laal ishq.."
Amrit68740220: I have to say that the #ramleela is an awesome movie!! But it was really #sadstory!
AmandaXavier94: Watched first day,first show for the first time! #RamLeela #Awesomesaucestory #ModerntimeRomeoJuliet #fangirl #DeepikaPadukone
alkagoutam: #RamLeela A visual delight. Intense movie with beautiful looking Deepika. #Ranveer and #Deepika both have acted well. Worth a watch.
aleezpeez: Ram-Leela was perfection ❤️
aarushiig: Ram Leela was amazing!
1mamalama1: Have to say Bhansali's best film til date 4 me is still Devdas. See RamLeela 4 DP, Ranveer chemistry, some special moments, beautiful sets.
10Srp: Must watch Ramleela no matter what >__< #DeepikaPadukone
_DirectionerDuh: Ram-leela my new fav hindi movie. ♡
_anupb: Ram Leela. Brilliant talent - SLB,Deepika,Ranveer,supriya pathak.Breathtaking performances. Awesome. @deepikapadukone @RanveerOfficial
shivani_bhrt: Ramleela,beautiful picturization,crisp element incorporation yet a rugged storyline,entertainment buffs.. watch it at home.
Saverita23_XOXO: #Ramleela. Colourful. Beautiful Cast. Vivid Language. Pointless Story.
gbvisions: #RamLeela is undoubtedly a visual treat. SLB's artistic sense is par excellence. BUT I'm srsly confused on the story part :| Huge doubts!
avantika__Singh: #RamLeela So much of hard work but not up to the mark !Was that sad end even called for? #BrilliantSet #sanjayleelabhansali
TejaMaiHun: Itni goli to Vasco ke mama ki gun me bhi nahi hongi jitni #RamLeela me chalti hain. Bahut tamasha karaya hai Bhansali Sahab ne.
Swathirishi: Okkk... dhatad or whatever it is in #RamLeela is a bit difficult to sit through!
srkbabi: Ram Leela - worst of SLB genre ... though Deepika n Ranveer both were gr8 ...
seemstobereal: #RamLeela please avoid ...save yourself for a better movie..I have become colour blind ..save me from SLB's wonderful world of nonsense
rooopsing: Ramleela is the worst movie ever
rohitfan01: RAM-LEELA !!!! wasted 3 hrs on this stupid film....
pranujan: Am I the only one who didn't like #RamLeela :(
Nishant_Shocker: Horrible sir..horrible #RamLeela
Karthik_I_: Aaaah, head ache coz of ramleela. fuck :/
JosephineIndia: As expected,#RamLeela is a disappointment.I think Sanjay should focus more on essence of the movie than the grandoise set n beautiful actors
BudhadityaD: Please don't bother investing time and money on Ramleela, not worth it....
barkhaengineer: Disappointed #RamLeela
atyant007: Ramleela...My review..... Sanjay Leela Bhansali needs immediate psycho treatment, It has 5 star review at times of... https://www.facebook.com/bharat.daksha/posts/10202040640834125
ashwinsuresh: Am I the only person that couldn't sit through Ram Leela? What a ridiculous screenplay. And sets will always be sets. Terrible terrible film
ashwinnaik: #ramleela is so insultingly bad. I wonder if the director is purposely doing this to the audience. Terrible.
ArjunChopra_8: Ram-Leela is probably the most disappointing romantic drama Indian cinema came around with..#smh
amritaIQ: That was... weird. #RamLeela
ajaykudache: Omg how can any one can make a film like this Raamleela yukkkk
This page has additional observations, other than the ones noted in the main review.
Parental Guidance:
- Violence: Lots. A couple of gory bits too.
- Language: Lots of innuendoes in the first hour, abusive language too.
- Nudity & Sexual content: Show of cleavage. A few kisses, making out scenes. Sexual tension. A couple of rape scenes. References to porn.
- Concept: Love story amidst a violent environment.
- General Look and Feel: Gorgeous frames with a magnificent color palette.
![[Facebook page of Ram-Leela]](/static/images/icons/facebook_small.png){kind=icon}
![[Twitter account of Ram-Leela]](/static/images/icons/twitter_small.png){kind=icon}
![[YouTube channel of Ram-Leela]](/static/images/icons/youtube_small.png){kind=icon}
![[Wikipedia page of Ram-Leela]](/static/images/icons/wiki_small.png){kind=icon}
![[IMDB Page of Ram-Leela]](/static/images/icons/imdb_small.png){kind=icon}
Comments (32)
Impatiently looking forward.
Huge fan of SLB, even though was disappointed with Saawariya and Black (was too slow and dull look and feel).
And yes I agree some songs and dance sequences remind heavily of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam; but hey zho is complaining :-)
I'd love this to flop badly so as to benefit Krrish-3 in its 3rd week at the box office :P Bhansali is a synonym for disaster anyway :P
@Fan:You criticize Anurag Kashyap for being self indulgent and you actually end up being a fan of the most self obsessed,over the top and drama queen director of them all?
P.S : Bhansali films have made bigger losses than Kashyap films thus far.
I have never claimed Kashyap to be self indulgent. I just find his films as worthless and massive majority of paying audiences believe the same as me; mediocre films not worth spending time and money on.
@Everyone : Here is a brilliant write up i found on one of the blogs on the changing dynamics and styling of Bollywood films based on the changing sensibilities of its target audience!
http://bomodel.blogspot.in/2013/11/krrish-3-review-part-iii-closure-for.html
Taran Adarsh review is out. 4.5 stars out of 5.
I did not expect anything less given the beautiful mesmerising music and dance sequences.
If it turns out to be as good as I expect it then this will certainly end a fabulous year for Deepika after giant hits like Race2, Yeh jawaani ...., Chennai Express and now Goliyon Ki rasleela RamLeela.
8-o
And TOI gives a clean 5 out of 5!!!
For a movie full of lust, sex, violence - this would be a first time thing on TOI.
Waiting for some more and probably more realistic reviews today. My biggest concern is the parental guidance part with the number oof kisses, the number of making out scenes, the vulgar language.
@Fan : Race 2 is an Above Average performer and nowhere near being a hit. It netted 94 cr domestic while its investment was in the range of 75-80 cr!
This is currently showing in one of the theaters where I live in Upstate New York, which is starting to cater to the large NRI audience we have. Sadly for us, it pushed out KRRISH 3, which we'd hoped to see last night. ...
The first half has been beautiful,,,,with full of colours superb chemestry and alot of double meaning jokes which i dont mind atall because they were really good,,,,but the reason why Ram and Leela fall for each other is not clear atall,,,,yes its a love at first sight case,,,,but it looks less LOVE more LUST to me....
The political twist are just average,,,,and doesnt shock u as compared to the movies of tigmansu or a kashayap,,,,but this could be good for the start because for the first time SLB is out of his usual comfort zone,,,,
Whats bad is the lenthy songs,,,,some of which could have been easily edited,,,,and the lengthy pre climax part,,,,u have to wait alot for the climax to come,,,,becoz of which it would be good to watch this movie for sure but at home not in big screen
Marne ki sau wajah hai jeene ki sirf ek
Bada badtameez, besharam, khudgarz hota hai par pyaar toh aisa hi hota hai.
And the opulence grandeur colourful detailed sets. Can and must only be enjoyed on giant screen.
And garbas are beautiful superbly choreography: you wish that they were still longer.
SLB succeeds superbly in making you long and your heart ache for the protagonists and then it does not matter that what started as lust is now genuine love. The best test of a love story is when the audience roots for the lead pair. It's an extremely intense film which is normal as it's based on a Shakespeare tragedy; so don't saunter in expecting a HDDCHS. Finger sacrifice requires a stone hearted guy to sit through it.
Language is of rustic Gujarat Rajasthan region; me being exposed to such rural belts did not find it extreme/vulgar but if you or your family have no idea of the daily vocabulary of that region then you need to think twice. Loads and loads of violence - as the film's name makes it clear Goliyon ki Rasleela.
Overall verdict: must see on big screen. Shakespeare would certainly have approved of this honest and excellent Indianisation of Romeo and Juliette without the Bollywood extra tadka to mask the original story.
Final word for Supriya Pathak who is superb and DP who is bringing a career best year to an end.
Quick clarification on my rustic Gujarat Rajasthan region language. In that language the words used do not have vulgar connotations and so are used in day to day talk. Similar sounding words in Hindi have vulgar connotations and so the audience might feel that the language is vulgar - which is not true.
...enjoyed the movie...loved performances... But hey ! There was sth missing in your review this time...usually for big movies ...you write so well...besides sth about the movie ...there are well crafted detail about sth totally random but very beautifull... Case in point ...lootera review...the analogy with thaharav.... It was missing here ....and that too for this movie....review was pretty bland...especially for a SLB movie...where sets , costumes, etc. Also are part of the story...am not criticizing...just felt if it was from some guest reviewer...
Meetu... Is Shveta Salve there in the movie? Which character?
@TimELiebe So, did you watch it?
@Anup Thanks for your review.
@Fan Thanks for writing in. So, you didn't mind the sexual overtones in the film? I ask because you sound concerned about it across films.
@Vishal Thank you for the feedback. Much appreciated. Maybe because at the end I was underwhelmed by the film. Will keep your words in mind for the next time.
@Shilpa She is certainly in the cast, can't place what role she played. Drawing a total blank here. Sorry.
@Fan:Check out that Bharadwaj Rangan bog review of K3 and laugh out loud at the ignorance and pseudo intelligence of some of their readers'. Enjoy!! -
PS:In case u missed out on the K3 post!
Direction: 3
Story: 1.5
Lead Actors: 4
Character Artists: 3.5
Dialogues: 3.5
Screenplay: 2
Music Director: 0.5
Lyrics: 1
Nice review; I agree.
Something that could have been 'Watch on Big Screen', killed badly...my 5 cents:
- every now and then Bhansali brings beauty on the celluloid and this one seems to be prettiest (and so are Deepika and Ranveer) of them all, I can foresee a lot of other makers taking a leaf or two from this one
- Why, Why, WHY.... Mr. Bhansali; you could have taken it somewhere amazing, why kill the second half with a confused story and equally confused characters and worse (over dramatised) climax. It was the second half of Hum Dil De... that I still like you for and you spoiled it this time....badly
- I don't know why, but a few recent movies come to mind while watching this one, and I so wish you could learn from them a bit Mr Bhansali (may have Spoilers)....
Raanjhana - I was listening to each word uttered by Kundan at his deathbed and here I didn't care what Ram/Leela said to each other at the end.
Ishaqzaade - I disliked the movie but felt for Zoya/Parmar throughout, here I guess Ram/Leela went too far in their love/hatred/antics and were too volatile to connect with me.
Dev D - agreed, you are inspired by an epic novel but you don't have to necessarily kill the protagonists
- I don't think it's very cool to start the movie with an SMS joke (khud hi pakdna padta hai), especially when you have pretty good one liners later on
- I think the quality and timing of the music sucks....only the visuals are good
@Meetu : 50 cr in 3 days and counting! A certified Hit. This is what happens when even mediocre self obsessed film-makers like SLB shed their inhibitions and start making "mass entertainers" than self indulgent ott trash like Black,Saawariya and Guzaarish (wish Hrithik had never done that one). Long live commercial cinema!
@Meetu: sorry for delayed response. Kisses, the loads of them, are totally unnecessary to the story or film. Like in every film, Hindi or English, they have no influence whatsoever on the story. And I cringed each time it happened. The few pornogrpahy incidents, were best avoided, not reqd. Although some scenes (not all) gelled in smoothly but overall they are avoidable. So yes, sexual overtones or undertones were not needed. The seemingly vulgar language - I clarified above, is not vulgar if one knows what those words mean in the spoken language.
@Suman: you are breaking my heart with such low score for music. For garba lovers it is sheer delight. I do admit that if there is a competition between Nagada Sang Dhol Baaje and Dholi Taro Dhol Baaje then the latter is better. But does not take away from the fact that on its own Nagada does stand up. And so does Ram Chahe Leela, and various other songs. Lot of folk music was regularly used as background scores and it was like a breath of fresh air.
@Mahaveer: Ranjhanaa came to my mind too, it was an equally intense and well enacted love story. Kundan's character stays longer in mind because he was an underdog (typical ordinary looking ordinary back street boy who knowingly sacrificed his life for somebody whom he knew did not love him). So it is natural that our heart aches more for Kundan than Ram who is a hero in all sense of the word, leader of his galli with the best chiselled body in town, whose masculinity could be confirmed by every village damsel, always playing lead role in local festivities, cracking the smartest jokes, son of clan leader. But for me it is unfair to say that I listened to every last word of Kundan but I did not care what Ram Leela were talking. I was in the heart of my heart hoping to see a twist in the story, especially with Rasili knocking.
For me, the 2 most powerful films this year that stuck with me for several days after seeing them on big screen are Ranjhana and Ram Leela. Both should win several accolades at film awards in the next 2-4 months, assuming that as always SRK and Roshans and Dharma and YRF do not influence the jury.
@Fan: I totally understand and accept what you might feel/felt for Ram-Leela but I did not, really. I am a huge fan of romantic cinema but this one just did not touch me, as I said, maybe Ram-Leela went too far in their love/hatred/antics and their characters were too volatile to connect with me. [SPOILERS] [comment edited because it gives away too much of the movie] I mean it all seemed fine before....and whatever happens after that. Just put me off.
@Meetu - no, Tammy and I both came down with a NASTY flu over the weekend, so we didn't see anything. :(
It's still showing at the "Bollywood Screen" we've got at our multiplex - and I'm still not really that interested in seeing this in a theater. The more I read about this, the more it sounds like a "Rent from Netflix" for us….
@TimELiebe oh hope you are feeling better now. :D
It is a revenge drama; revenge by SLB on the audience for rejecting GUZAARISH. As producer, he has already done that with ROWDY RATHORE but his thirst was not quenched, so THIS. The only good features are camera, dress, art and music and the worst are story and lyrics.
@Meetu - finally, yes, thankfully! We've had a very harsh winter here in upstate New York, which meant we all got sick a lot (except for Bruce, who never seems to catch anything!). It's in my Netflix queue, so we'll see….
Okay, finally saw it on Netflix at Bruce's insistence - and both Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone sold their characters, both the passion and the tragedy, brilliantly. The movie was completely overripe, with more gun play than a John Woo action movie - but using Romeo & Juliet as its base meant the overripeness felt earned here.
I would be really surprised if Quentin Tarantino doesn't rip this film off shamelessly for his next project. It's got everything he loves - and I have to say, I love it too.
@TimELiebe Quentin Tarantino's Ram Leela - waah! Now that would be something!
@Ashok ha ha ha. Oh well...
"Quentin Tarantino's Ram-Leela" - oh, Gods, @Meeta! It would be longer than Jodhaa Akbar, full of American pop music in place of original Indian songs, and Ram would spend the entire first half of the movie obsessing over Leela's bare feet!
:'D
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