The box office performance of the recent film adaptation of the Ramayana has sparked widespread discussion across the entertainment industry, pulling in over 375 crores within its first three days of release. This commercial milestone highlights a broader cultural shift back toward mythological storytelling on the silver screen. To understand why these narratives are resonating with modern audiences, it helps to examine how cinema and society continually shape one another across different eras.
Historically, mythological films held a massive place in Indian cinema, with classics such as Lava Kusha, Dana Veera Soora Karna, Maya Bazar, Nartanasala, drawing massive audiences. Viewers in earlier decades felt a deep connection to the rich literary traditions, classical verses, and poetic expressions embedded in these epics. However, the cultural and cinematic landscape shifted as decades progressed.
During the 1970s and 1980s, the sociopolitical environment was heavily shaped by global liberation struggles, progressive movements, and leftist ideologies. Films reflected these currents through revolutionary themes, working class struggles, and symbolic resistance, with writers and directors incorporating powerful revolutionary verses and commentary. The rise of economic liberalization in the 1990s ushered in corporate-centered narratives, private enterprise, and consumer-driven storytelling, pushing mythological themes into the background for a period.
In recent years, the resurgence of mythological and cultural themes coincides with a powerful wave of cultural nationalism and Hindutva politics shaping the broader societal consciousness. As prominent philosopher Karl Marx observed, the class that holds the material means of production also controls the production and dissemination of ideas. When cultural nationalism and civilizational values dominate public discourse, creative works aligned with these prevailing currents find a receptive and eager audience.
Beyond ideological alignment, technological advancement plays a major role in the revival of the genre. In earlier decades, legendary actors delivered stellar performances, but technological limitations restricted visual effects. Creators struggled with primitive methods to depict supernatural elements, celestial travel, or multi-headed adversaries. Modern visual effects and advanced CGI allow filmmakers to faithfully render divine weapons, cosmic battles, and mythological spectacles on a scale that rivals global cinema. This synthesis of timeless epic storytelling with cutting-edge technology bridges the gap between older generations and younger audiences who grew up hearing these stories from their families.
Commercial viability has also evolved. While earlier eras saw a decline in mythological productions due to shifting market priorities, today's pan-Indian and global distribution channels allow massive productions to recoup unprecedented investments. With budgets reportedly reaching into thousands of crores for projects like the Ramayana, studios rely on broad multi-language formats and multi-part releases to succeed. Unlike regional folklore or localized folk deities, which require deeper cultural introduction for national audiences, epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata enjoy universal recognition across India and throughout Southeast Asia, including countries like Indonesia, where cultural elements and traditional performances remain deeply intertwined with Hindu epics.
The enduring appeal of these narratives ultimately rests on their universal and eternal human values. Characters like Sri Rama embody timeless ideals of devotion, righteousness, and familial duty that resonate across generations and cultures.
The core conflicts depicted in these epics, ranging from the struggle between righteousness and unrighteousness to themes of justice, temptation, and human integrity, mirror the daily challenges faced by modern society. By merging these eternal values with modern cinematic scale, mythological films continue to secure a powerful place in the collective memory and contemporary culture of audiences worldwide.