This is a review of the Telugu movie Sita Ramam. Review written and edited by Anoop Prathapan and first published on the 9th of August 2022.
It is not so frequently that a Malayali watches a Telugu movie and is fascinated by its story and making (excluding the once-in-a-lifetime Bahubali series) – but that was what “Sita Ramam” was for me. I am not a fan of love stories, for I do not believe in the concept, however, “Sita Ramam” stands out for its making.
Set in 1985, Afreen, a patriotic Pakistani student in London (Rashmika’s best role in any film to date) sets fire to anything Indian, even to the very thought of it, flies back to her grandfather in Karachi, only to find him dead. She understands that her late grandfather, who was a senior army officer in Pakistan, would let her take over his belongings only after she hands over a letter from an Indian soldier Ram that he penned to his wife Sita before his death. Though initially incensed by the idea, a supercilious Afreen finally takes a flight to India, having no other options.
In Hyderabad, she was recited of the most marvelous story of Lieutenant Ram, an officer in the Indian Army in 1965 who is an orphan, and his relationship with Sita, whom he later married, by their acquaintances from twenty years ago. Further, the narrative shocks Afreen herself, revealing her true roots.
This is a movie well shot in various locations all over India including the glorious Kashmir and gives an overview of what transpired in Operation Gibraltar which I have only read of, by the most zealous cinematographer and directed by an accomplished director.
Music by Vishal Chandrasekhar is the only misfortune in this visual pageant – the makers should have engaged a bigger name to make music for such a magnum opus.
Dulquer Salman cinches his role, so does the gorgeous Mrinal Thakur as his lady love. Rashmika surprised as the young Paki.
Apart from its uninspiring music, some boring and needless comedy sequences that trailed the proceedings a trace, and umpteen wearisome songs squeezed in at all the wrong places were the only drawbacks I observed in “Sita Ramam”.
“Sita Ramam” is a theatre watch. Watch it for its convincing story and its lofty making.
My Rating 8/10
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