Ashutosh Rana blames ‘Adipurush’ failure on lack of authenticity: ‘Audiences are emotional about mythology’
‘Adipurush‘, the 2023 mythological action film starring Prabhas, Kriti Sanon, and Saif Ali Khan, and based on the Ramayana, was widely criticized. Directed by Om Raut, the film faced backlash for its weak dialogue, poor performances, and subpar visual effects. Ashutosh, who plays Ravana in ‘Humare Ram’, shared his thoughts on why ‘Adipurush’ failed.
In an interview with the Indian Express, Rana stated that when working on a large-scale subject, it’s crucial to meet the craft’s necessities, including authentic dialogue, costumes, and delivery. He emphasised that audiences are emotionally connected to mythology and won’t accept flaws in its presentation. Rana believes audiences want to see the character, not the actor. He also noted that the TV show ‘Ramayana’ was appreciated because the actor’s looks and ambience were carefully considered.
Rana, discussing Adipurush’s failure, emphasized the importance of authenticity in mythological adaptations. He argued that audiences are “emotional” about these stories and expect genuine “feelings, language, costume and body language”. Ashutosh pointed to the TV show ‘Ramayana’ as a success because of its attention to detail in the actors’ appearances and overall atmosphere. He believes audiences should see the character, not just the actor.
Despite a worldwide gross of Rs 392.70 crore, ‘Adipurush’ was considered a box office failure due to its high budget. Made on a production budget of Rs 160 crore and a marketing cost of Rs 18 crore, it has grossed over Rs 355 crore (US$41 million) worldwide. The film collected Rs 287.97 crore at ticket counters in India. Some sources list the worldwide gross higher, at Rs 450 crore, but still consider the film a flop.
