Ramayana:The Legend of Prince Rama
“Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama,” the iconic Indo-Jap:anese animated film, is finally set to hit theaters on January 24, 2025. Presented in stunning 4K resolution with enhanced audio, the film will be available in Hindi, English, Tamil, and Telugu.
The movie’s journey to its Indian theatrical release has been a long one, spanning 32 years. Despite being a celebrated collaboration, its arrival was delayed due to controversies over its portrayal of Hindu gods by Japanese animators, which sparked debates and led to multiple postponements.
The story of Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama began in the early 1980s when Japanese filmmaker Yugo Sako developed a deep interest in the Indian epic Ramayana. Captivated by its timeless narrative and cultural significance, Sako studied ten different versions of the epic translated into Japanese. Inspired by its depth and grandeur, he envisioned an animated adaptation, believing that animation was the perfect medium to capture the divine and mythical aspects of the characters, particularly Lord Rama, more effectively than live-action.
The project was groundbreaking, merging the artistic traditions of Japan and India. Co-directed by Yugo Sako, Ram Mohan, and Koichi Sasaki, the film featured a unique blend of Japanese manga-inspired animation, Disney-like storytelling elements, and visual influences drawn from Indian art, including the works of famed artist Raja Ravi Varma. The filmmakers aimed to present a faithful retelling of the Ramayana that would resonate with a global audience. Completed in 1993, the film premiered at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), where it attracted significant attention for its innovative cross-cultural approach.
You Can Also Watch The Official Trailer Here:
Official trailer video with Japanese narration for the 4K digitally remastered version of #RamayanaAnime #TheLegendOfPrinceRama
✅https://t.co/urwuKR63V0
✅https://t.co/PNGbJFDpQ1
✅https://t.co/Un0tbP7w5T pic.twitter.com/1dCz9Ei1WH— Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama (Official) (@RamayanaAnime) October 5, 2022
The release of Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama in India faced significant hurdles due to the charged political and social climate of the 1990s. During this period, the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, which focused on constructing a Ram temple in Ayodhya at the site of the demolished Babri Masjid, had heightened communal tensions across the country. Amid this backdrop, the release of a film about Lord Rama—especially one created by foreign filmmakers—was met with skepticism and controversy.
Some groups viewed the animated film as an external interpretation of a deeply sacred Hindu text, sparking objections over its depiction of Hindu deities by Japanese animators. Conservative organizations like the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) expressed strong disapproval, arguing that foreign filmmakers should not portray Indian gods, particularly in an animated format. The VHP even sent a formal protest to the Japanese embassy in New Delhi, questioning the cultural authenticity of the project. As communal unrest escalated, the Indian government decided to delay the film’s theatrical release to avoid further tensions.
The situation worsened after the demolition of the Babri Masjid in December 1992, which led to widespread riots and deepened communal divisions. Against this volatile backdrop, the film was deemed too sensitive for a theatrical release in India. It was effectively banned, forcing the filmmakers to seek alternative ways to bring their work to Indian audiences.
Despite these challenges, the film eventually reached viewers through Doordarshan, India’s state-run television channel. In 1995, it was broadcast in Hindi, featuring voiceovers by prominent Indian actors such as Arun Govil (Rama), Amrish Puri (Ravana), and Shatrughan Sinha (Narrator). The animated adaptation captivated viewers with its vibrant visuals and faithful retelling of the Ramayana. However, while it found a loyal fanbase, the stigma of its earlier controversies lingered, and the film never received a proper theatrical release in India.
In the years that followed, the movie became a cherished classic, frequently aired on television channels like Cartoon Network and Pogo in the early 2000s. Yet, its absence from cinemas prevented it from achieving the wider recognition it deserved.
Now, in 2025, Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama is finally set for its long-awaited theatrical debut. Remastered in 4K with enhanced sound, the film is poised to captivate a new generation of viewers. Its re-release comes at a time of renewed interest in the Ramayana, fueled by recent adaptations like Om Raut’s Adipurush and the upcoming live-action film featuring Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi. This theatrical launch not only celebrates the film’s artistic and cultural significance but also marks the resolution of a decades-long journey to bring this masterpiece to the big screen.
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