Early reactions to director Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana: Rise of a Legend have put the spotlight on actor Yash's Ravana. The KGF star is no stranger to playing powerful characters, but this time, the audience isn't necessarily supposed to root for him.The upcoming epic has actor Ranbir Kapoor playing Lord Rama, but ahead of its November 5 release, Yash's Ravana has been getting quite a bit of attention.
The film was recently screened for a select audience in Los Angeles, and while the reactions have been mixed, several viewers have praised Yash's portrayal of the mighty king of Lanka.For a film that has been in the making for years and boasts some of the biggest names in Indian cinema, the attention surrounding its antagonist is worth looking at. More so because Yash is an actor whose screen presence has often been one of his biggest strengths.With the KGF franchise, Yash turned Rocky Bhai into a phenomenon.
The long hair, the beard, the swagger, and those powerful dialogues became a part of his identity. Rocky Bhai was ruthless, ambitious and hardly someone who played by the rules.
But that didn't stop audiences from rooting for him. Yash's recent release, Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups, however, didn't receive the same response.
But despite all the hype pre-release, the film flopped at the box office and was panned for its writing. Yash, however, still found appreciation for his performance and managed to leave an impression.
Now, with Ramayana, he has another opportunity to show what he can bring to a character, this time in a completely different setting.And Ravana is certainly not an easy character to take on. On paper, the casting seems almost perfect.
Ravana was known as much for his knowledge and devotion to Lord Shiva as he was for his power as the king of Lanka. Yet, for all his wisdom, his pride eventually got the better of him.
He was a man of many contradictions, and perhaps that is why filmmakers and storytellers have continued to revisit his character over the years.For Yash, however, Ravana comes with a challenge that his earlier roles never really posed. In KGF, his larger-than-life image worked because audiences were meant to celebrate him.
With Ramayana: Rise of a Legend, the makers cannot afford to turn Ravana into another hero simply because a superstar is playing him.And this is where Yash's performance will matter.It won't be enough for Yash to simply make Ravana look powerful. There's also the other side of the character that needs to come through.
It is a tricky balance and situation, especially for someone whose fan following has largely been built around his heroic image.Yash, for his part, seems to have given the character considerable thought. In an earlier interview, the actor spoke about Ravana's extraordinary knowledge and abilities, while acknowledging that none of it could justify his actions. "Your actions, your karma, define you," he said, explaining how he looked at the character.What makes his decision to play Ravana even more interesting is that Yash is also a co-producer of the film.
He could have chosen another conventional hero, but instead, he has taken on a character whose defeat is central to the story.Of course, Ravana is hardly a conventional villain. He has enough depth and personality to make an actor want to explore the role.
But there is a difference between portraying a powerful antagonist and making him so appealing that the audience loses sight of what he represents.The film's promotional material has already given us a glimpse of Yash's interpretation. His imposing look, elaborate costumes and commanding presence have sparked conversations.
But the real test will be whether he can move beyond the appearance and bring out the many sides of Ravana. The anger, the pride, the intelligence and, most importantly, the flaws that eventually lead to his downfall.Interestingly, Yash and Ranbir Kapoor will not be seen together in the first instalment.
The actor has previously revealed that their characters do not share screen space in Part One. That means the makers have to establish Ravana as a formidable opponent even before he comes face to face with Ram.The early reactions from Los Angeles suggest that Yash has managed to leave an impression on at least some of those who have watched the film.
Of course, a select screening is hardly enough to judge how audiences across the country will respond. But it has certainly added to the curiosity surrounding his character.There is also something interesting about a superstar choosing to play someone whose downfall is inevitable.
Yash's popularity has been built around characters who refuse to bow down. Ravana, too, is defined by his pride and his refusal to surrender.
The difference is that, in Ravana's case, those very qualities eventually become his undoing.It will be interesting to see how Yash handles that side of the character.In recent years, we have seen audiences embrace actors playing morally grey and negative characters, sometimes to the point where the villain ends up receiving as much attention as the hero. Yash already has a massive fan following, and there is little doubt that many will walk into theatres wanting to watch him as Ravana.But Ramayana needs more than a stylish antagonist.
For Lord Rama's eventual victory to have the impact it deserves, Ravana must come across as a genuinely formidable opponent. His strength, intelligence and arrogance all need to be part of the portrayal.That is perhaps what makes Yash's casting one of the more interesting aspects of Tiwari's film.
He has already shown that he can make audiences cheer for a powerful, morally complicated character. This time, he had to make them watch that character's downfall.Whether he pulls it off will become clearer on November 5.
For now, the early praise has only increased expectations.Everyone knows how the story of Rama and Ravana ends. But the interest surrounding Yash does raise an intriguing question.
Could Ravana end up being the character audiences discuss the most?- Ends