Yugo Suko’s “The Legend of Prince Rama,” a 1992 animated masterpiece, finally graces Indian theatres, fueled by nostalgia and a stunning 4K remaster. For generations, this adaptation of the Ramayana has been a cherished memory, viewed countless times on Doordarshan and YouTube, in both Hindi and English dubs. But the big-screen experience transcends mere nostalgia; it’s a revelation. Witnessing Suko’s era-defining animation in breathtaking 4K is a cinematic event in itself, justifying the theatrical release.

The film recounts a pivotal section of the epic, encompassing Rama’s exile, Sita’s abduction, and the subsequent war between Sugriva’s Vanara army and Ravana’s demons. While the story is familiar to most Indians, the film’s power lies in its seamless blend of timeless animation and the simplicity of the original narrative.

Despite its age, the animation holds up remarkably well. The digital remastering ensures that the visuals, already lauded three decades ago, shine even brighter on the big screen, a testament to Suko’s artistic vision. For those scarred by recent, less successful Ramayana adaptations, “The Legend of Prince Rama” offers a welcome balm.

The new dubbing, however, presents a mixed bag. Replacing the iconic voices of Amrish Puri, Arun Govil, and Shatrughan Sinha from the original, it initially feels jarring, particularly the disconnect between the familiar visuals and unfamiliar voices.

Yet, the new dub is not inherently bad; it’s simply a product of its time, adopting a more dramatic, cinematic style befitting a modern theatrical release. It contrasts with the simpler style of Ramanand Sagar’s influential television series, offering a more heightened, theatrical delivery. Importantly, the new dub complements the animation without overshadowing it, preserving the narrative’s inherent simplicity.

The soundtrack, featuring Sanskrit versions of classic tracks like “Janani Main Raamdoot Hanuman” and “Vaanar Sena,” might feel unfamiliar to those accustomed to the Hindi versions. But Vanraj Bhatia’s music remains enchanting, seamlessly integrated into the film’s tapestry. For newcomers to this adaptation, the change will be barely noticeable.

“The Legend of Prince Rama,” while arguably the best animated Ramayana adaptation, isn’t without flaws. Its simplified portrayal of Ravana, omitting his intellectual depth and presenting him solely as an evil asura, feels reductive. Similarly, the exclusion of Sita’s agni-pariksha streamlines the narrative but sacrifices some essential nuances.

The unnecessary inclusion of an intermission also detracts from the viewing experience. Despite these minor shortcomings, “The Legend of Prince Rama” remains a visually stunning and emotionally resonant cinematic experience, a must-see for both nostalgic viewers and newcomers alike.

Megyn Kelly launched a scathing attack on Blake Lively’s $250 million lawsuit against her “It Ends With Us” co-star, Justin Baldoni, dismissing Lively’s claims of sexual harassment as a fabrication.

Kelly, whose personal attorney also represents Baldoni, framed the entire legal battle as a calculated move by Lively, fueled by her own actions rather than genuine victimhood. The crux of Kelly’s argument rests on video footage released by Baldoni’s legal team, showing Lively and Baldoni engaging in playful, flirtatious behaviour during the filming of a montage sequence. This footage, Kelly contends, directly contradicts Lively’s accusations.

Lively’s lawsuit alleges that during a “slow dance scene,” Baldoni crossed a professional boundary by inappropriately touching her and making a comment about her scent. However, Kelly argues that the video depicts a consensual interaction, with both actors clearly aware of the cameras and seemingly comfortable with their physical proximity.

The footage captures them holding hands, nuzzling, and engaging in lighthearted banter, even mentioning each other’s spouses by name. Kelly highlights Lively’s laughter and playful responses throughout the interaction, contrasting this with the serious nature of the alleged harassment. She points out that Lively’s reaction to the situation directly contradicts her later accusations, presenting a clear disconnect between the alleged victim’s behaviour and her public statements.

Kelly’s criticism goes beyond simply disputing the specifics of the alleged incident. She accuses Lively of orchestrating a calculated smear campaign against Baldoni, leveraging her influence and public image to damage his reputation. Kelly suggests that Lively’s cooperation with the New York Times in publicizing the story is evidence of this strategic manoeuvre. The subsequent escalation, including Baldoni’s $400 million countersuit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, further fuels Kelly’s narrative of a power struggle rather than a genuine legal dispute.

The attorney’s comments strongly suggest that Lively’s damaged reputation is not a consequence of Baldoni’s actions but rather a direct result of her own strategic manoeuvring. Kelly asserts that Lively’s pursuit of a gag order, after allegedly causing significant damage to Baldoni’s career, underscores her intent to silence her opponent and control the narrative.

By analyzing the video evidence and the subsequent legal actions, Kelly paints a picture of Lively as a manipulative actor, leveraging her status to advance a false claim, ultimately concluding that Lively’s actions, not Baldoni’s, are responsible for the current situation. The entire situation, from Kelly’s perspective, highlights the complexities and potential pitfalls of high-profile legal battles within the entertainment industry.

Bollywood actors Shreyas Talpade and Alok Nath find themselves embroiled in a significant legal controversy, named as accused in a cheating and breach of trust case registered at the Murthal police station in Sonipat, Haryana.

The First Information Report (FIR), filed on January 22, lists the two prominent actors among thirteen individuals charged under Sections 316 (2), 318 (2), and 318 (4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. These charges encompass criminal breach of trust, cheating, and the fraudulent transfer of property.

The complainant, Sonipat resident Vipul Antil, levelled accusations against the Human Welfare Credit Cooperative Society, registered in Indore under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act of 2002. Antil alleges that the society, active across multiple states, including Haryana, since September 16th, 2016, lured investors with promises of exorbitant returns on fixed deposits (FDs) and recurring deposits (RDs).

The society employed a multi-level marketing strategy, incentivizing agents to recruit additional investors, creating a pyramid scheme structure that ultimately led to widespread financial losses.

Ajeet Singh, the Additional Commissioner of Police (ACP) in Murthal, confirmed the inclusion of Talpade and Nath’s names in the list of accused, based on statements provided by the complainant. Singh clarified that the primary focus of the investigation remains the alleged fraudulent activities of the cooperative society, and the police are currently working to determine the specific roles, if any, played by Talpade and Nath in the alleged scheme. The investigation will delve into the extent of their involvement and whether they directly benefited from the alleged fraudulent activities.

The case has sent ripples through the Bollywood industry, casting a shadow over the careers of both actors. While the details of their alleged involvement remain under investigation, the allegations raise serious questions about their conduct and potential complicity in a scheme that defrauded numerous investors.

Shreyas Talpade’s most recent cinematic appearance was in Kangana Ranaut’s directorial debut, Emergency, a historical drama set during India’s tumultuous Emergency period from 1975 to 1977. Alok Nath, a veteran Bollywood actor, boasts a prolific career spanning over three decades and encompassing over 300 films, establishing him as a familiar face in Indian cinema. The unfolding investigation will determine the extent of their involvement in this complex financial crime and the consequences they may face.