Ramayana - 2010

Story

Long... long... ago... in ancient India...

Rama, the prince of Ayodhya, is the eldest son of the mighty king Dasharath, dark and handsome, a great warrior and epitome of all virtues, he is loved by all.

At a "Swayamvar" or the contest to select the most heroic groom for 'Sita', the beautiful princess of Mithila, Rama breaks the indestructible bow of Lord Shiva and wins the hand of Sita. King Dashrath, happy and contented, plans to crown Rama as his heir and retire. But his third wife, the young Kaikei has other plans. She claims the two boons Dashrath had granted to her long ago, when she had saved his life. First she demands that her own son Bharat be crowned as the king instead of Rama and second that Rama be exiled from the kingdom for fourteen years. Dashrath is devastated.

Prince Rama however decides to honour his father's promise and go into wilderness leaving behind his throne and the kingdom. His loving wife Sita and the devoted younger brother Laxman decide to accompany Rama into the exile.

Bharat however refuses to be a part of his mother's conspiracy. He tries to persuade Rama to return but Rama is steadfast in his resolve. Bharat proclaims that Rama is indeed the king and that he is only the care taker of the throne till Rama's return.

Time passes. Rama, Sita and Laxman settle down in the jungle of Chitrakoot and complete thirteen years of exile.

One day, Surpanakha, the ravishingly beautiful demon princess spots Rama in the jungle and is attracted to him. She proposes to him but Rama, devoted to his wife Sita, spurns her offer. Enraged, Surpnakha tries to hurt Sita and Laxman in retaliation cuts off Surpankha's nose. Surpanakha complains to her brother, the mighty Ravan, the demon king of Rakshasas. Ravan in his anger vows to avenge this insult.

With the help of his magical powers, Ravan creates an enticing illusion of a golden deer. Sita enchanted by the vision asks Rama to get the golden deer for her. As Rama goes after the deer, Ravan disguised as a 'Rishi', a mendicant sage, kidnaps Sita and flies off with her in his flying machine to his Rakshash kingdom of 'Lanka'.

When Rama returns he finds Sita missing.

And so begins his search for Sita. Rama and Laxman travel through the jungles across India following Ravan's trail.

On their way they come across the monkey kingdom of Kishkindha where they meet a band of rebel monkeys led by Sugriv. Sugriv is fighting against the oppressions of the rogue monkey king Vali. Rama agrees to help them. He kills Vali and appoints Sugriv as the monkey king. Sugriv in turn promises to help Rama in his search for Sita. He sends his emissary, the super powerful Hanuman, to help Rama.

Hanuman flies across the ocean in search of Sita and arrives at Ravan's Lanka, the city of gold. He finds Sita imprisoned there. He over hears Ravana asking Sita to marry him but Sita, eternally devoted to Rama, refuses. Hanuman decides to teach Ravan a lesson. He creates havoc in Lanka. He is captured and presented before Ravan. Though a captive, Hanuman advices Ravan to return Sita to Rama and beg for mercy. Ravan, enraged, orders his tail to be set on fire. Hanuman escapes, sets fire to Ravan's Lanka and returns to Rama with news of Sita.

Rama and Laxman march with their army of Vaanars towards Lanka to defeat Ravan and rescue Sita. Crossing dense forests, they arrive at the southern coast where the mighty ocean separates them from Lanka. They construct a floating bridge 'Rama Setu' across the ocean and triumphantly reach Lanka.

And thus begins the epic battle between the forces of good and evil, an amazing demonstration of heroism, and super powers.

Rama the original Indian super hero, defeats Ravan, rescues Sita and returns victorious to the kingdom of Ayodhya.