Can Indian Epics Bring Audiences Back to Cinema Halls?
First Nitesh Tiwari's highly-anticipated Ramayan, now Aamir Khan says he wants to bring Mahabharat to the big-screen. Can Indian mythologies rescue cinema?
We have officially been in the world of streaming everything for some time now. Post-pandemic we have been thrusted into. Hardly any theatregoers left—for cinema and for plays. But with Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming high-stakes epic film Ramayana, we might see many heading back to the real “big-screen”.
But can it really happen? Sorry to trigger Adipurush trauma, everyone. For the nation that loves Indian mythology, can the age-old tradition of collective watching revive again, or have it got it entirely wrong?
With the success of Vicky Kaushal’s Chaava, his next project being Parshuram, Deepika Padukone’s Draupadi, although we're not sure if the project is still on, and recently Aamir Khan revealing his ambition to bring Mahabharata onto the big-screen someday, it seems like Indian epics have piqued the industry’s interest. (Also, with the general sentiments flying around, I guess it’s working well)
By all means! Epics call for cinematic grandeur and demand drama, music, war cries, moral dilemmas, and divine glow-ups that Indian audiences absolutely love. Maybe even the lonesome theatre is craving that again!
With unnecessary remakes killing our braincells, with bad storytelling making us question if watching Hindi cinema is even worth it anymore, tales as old as times feel like goldmines in plain sight!
You May Also Like: The Resurrection of the Hollywood Epic
Afterall, its hard to beat god-level glow ups, isn’t it? Plus, Indian mythological characters from Eklavya to Kalki as we saw in Kalki 2898 AD, to the most popular rivals Rama and Raavana don’t need any IPs. They are binge-worthy, they are solid stories with beginning, middle, and end; character-arcs, subplots, and everything under the sky that makes story good.
Indian Mythology in Hindi Cinema An OG Strategy
Before anyone considers the recent rise in mythological characters or epic heroes making rounds of Hindi cinema a new trend. Let me stop you right there! It is the original strategy.
India’s first full-length feature film Raja Harishchandra (1913) by Dadasaheb Phalke was based on the Hindu mythology of legendary king Raja Harishchandra of the Solar dynasty, renowned for his unwavering commitment to truth and righteousness, even in the face of adversity.
The film launched an industry by tapping into epic storytelling, following which in 1950s to the 80s, many filmmakers like Vijay Bhatt and B.R Chopra created films retold stories from mythologies: Bharat Milap, Ram Rajya, and Mahabharat, the TV series, respectively.
They have also often been used as foundational narrative for stories. Take Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif starrer Rajneeti, for instance. Or, the 2015 film Bahubali, or Mani Ratnam’s Raavan. These films are not only entertaining but also inspire viewers to explore and connect with the story in a captivating way.
And unlike biopics or remakes, epics come with massive emotional capital. Ramayana isn’t just a story—it’s your nani’s story, your childhood bedtime story, and your cultural backbone, all rolled into one. People don’t just watch it—they show up for it.
You May Also Like: The Film That Brought Ryan Coogler Home
Mythologies tap into something primal and something familiar. They’re cultural memories more than characters that were created. And certainly, hold the weave of our collective fabric as a nation and its emotional resonance together.
Rightly so, adapting something that is so dear to our hearts is a high-risk, high-expectation game. One bad line, one cringe CGI moment, action sequence that’s too much to even be considered suspension of belief—you’re on the verge of getting cancelled.
Yes, Adipurush tanked, but if other films are done right—made with vision, respect, and actual craft—not just hype—they just might just help rebuild the connection Hindi cinema has had with audiences for years, bringing them back to the theatres.
You May Also Like: Movies Team Esquire India's Really Looking Forward To In 2025
Whether it’s a strategy or Hindi cinema going back to its roots with retellings that have ancient cores, audiences can expect more as a well-depicted myth hits harder than any 100-crore franchise.
Do you think Indian epics can bring audiences back to cinema halls?