Producer Amit Chimnani reveals the numerical significance of the film's title, with each digit holding a key meaning. "6" signifies the demolition of the disputed structure on December 6, "9" marks the Supreme Court's decision on November 9, and "5" recalls the historic day of August 5 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for Shri Ram Mandir.

 

The allure of cinematic renditions of mythological tales has persisted throughout the 113-year history of Hindi cinema. From the silent era's "Lanka Dahan" by Dadasaheb Phalke in 1917 to recent releases such as "Adipurush" in the Modi era, the narrative of Ramayana, with characters like Lord Rama and Mother Sita portrayed by various actors over the years, continues to resonate.

 

Vishnu Sharma, a veteran journalist and Film Historian, says ‘The special thing was that these films used to run a lot . This happened in the 60s and 70s.’

 

The saga of Lord Rama's journey, not confined to celluloid, began with Dadasaheb Phalke's groundbreaking silent film "Lanka Dahan" in 1917. An ambitious start, it set the stage for subsequent cinematic explorations of the Ramayana. "Ram Rajya," produced by Vijay Bhatt in 1943, transported viewers to the era of Lord Ram in black and white, featuring Prem Adeeb as Lord Ram and Shobhna Samarth as Sita. Mahatma Gandhi himself reportedly watched this cinematic depiction.

 

The 1961 film "Sampoorna Ramayan" by Babubhai Mistry, starring Mahipal as Ram and Anita Guha as Sita, gained immense popularity, running for an impressive 25 weeks. Collaborative efforts between Japan and India resulted in the animated film "Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama" in 1992. Initially released in English, the film later featured Arun Govil as the voice of Lord Ram in its Hindi version, with Amrish Puri providing the Hindi dubbing for Raavan.

 

The cinematic exploration of Ramayana continued with the 1997 film "Luv Kush," which delved into the aftermath of the conquest of Lanka. Jeetendra assumed the role of Ram, and Jaya Prada portrayed Sita in this rendition. The 90s saw sporadic attempts in Hindi cinema, including an animation film, to revive interest in mythological themes, but they met with limited success. On the other hand, the small screen witnessed a surge in mythological serials during this period. 

 

However, a significant hiatus followed, with Bollywood and regional cinema largely steering clear of cultural and mythological themes for about two and a half decades. 

 

Film historian Vishnu Sharma reflects on a phase when Bollywood and regional cinema shied away from mythological subjects, including Ramayana, attributing it to the prevailing political 

climate.

 

“This happened not only with subjects like the Ramayana but also with national heroes like Maharana Pratap and Shivaji The new era came in the Modi regime, where new elements were added to the story of Ram , such as some dialogues in Adi Purush that seemed to be on the current situation , despite the controversies , the film became the seventh highest - grossing film of the year . Akshay’s Ram Setu was also a new kind of Ram story . Now Hanuman has come , it is being liked a lot , Mahiravan was also an animation movie”, Vishnu Sharma adds. 

 

Akshay Kumar's "Ram Setu" presented a novel interpretation of the Ramayana story, while animated offerings like "Hanuman" and "Mahiravan" found resonance with audiences. The landscape of mythological storytelling in cinema has evolved, embracing diverse elements and resonating with contemporary themes.

 

For ardent devotees of Lord Rama, who may have already delved into the verses of the Ramayana, these cinematic adaptations provide a unique visual journey, offering a nuanced exploration of Lord Rama's life from his childhood to the profound moments of fatherhood. In the tapestry of Indian cinema, the timeless saga of Ramayana continues to be woven, finding new expressions and interpretations, captivating generations and contributing to the rich cultural narrative of the country.

 

(Ram Kumar Kaushik is a senior Delhi based journalist)