Ramabanam review: Dear Gopichand, please get updated!

Ramabanam marks the coming together of Gopichand and Jagapathi Babu under the direction of Sriwass. The trio earlier delivered a decent family entertainer titled Lakshyam (Target, 2007).

Let’s check how they fared this time:

Synopsis

Vicky (Gopichand) and Rajaram (Jagapathi Babu) are siblings. They are fond of each other but are different in temperament.

Rajaram grows organic vegetables and runs a hotel where he serves organic food to the customers. He is composed, patient and a do-gooder.

On the other hand, Vicky is emotional, violent and goes to any extent for his brother.

An unexpected incident makes Vicky run away from his home. He lands in Kolkata and grows up as a dreaded don. One day, he returns home but hides his original identity fearing that his elder brother would not accept him, given his criminal background.

While Vicky tries making efforts to hide his past and marry Bhairavi (Dimple Hayathi) with the blessings of his family, unexpected problems arise in the form of GK (Tarun Arora), a business competitor of Rajaram.

Whether Rajaram learns about his brother’s past and how Vicky saves his family from the crooked plots of GK form the crux of Ramabanam.

Our #RamaBanam is in your theatres now😊

Book your Tickets now!https://t.co/qBq1MXgF6N@DirectorSriwass @DimpleHayathi @peoplemediafcy @vivekkuchibotla @vishwaprasadtg pic.twitter.com/3C9WYFXgT6

— Gopichand (@YoursGopichand) May 5, 2023

Good story but formulaic treatment

Ramabanam’s basic plotline is meaningful. The director’s intention that both good food and happy families are needed for a better society is appreciable.

But the setting that Sriwass chose, the routine treatment, and the formulaic presentation make Ramabanam miss the target.

Also Read: Kerala exhibitors adopted wait-and-watch strategy with The Kerala Story, says distributor

Barring some emotional scenes in the second half, most of the movie just runs as per the set formula. An action scene followed by a comedy episode and a family sentiment scene and then a repeat of the same – that’s how Ramabanam has been presented.

“ఈ రోజు రామబాణం థియేటర్ లో రిలీజ్ అవుతుంది.. అందరూ తప్పకుండా చూడండి!” 🤗✨

A Sweet welcome to Theatres from Macho Starr @YoursGopichand & @IamJagguBhai ❤️

Book ur tickets now for #RamaBanam
🎟️ https://t.co/0O5hvJEt59@DirectorSriwass @khushsundar @DimpleHayathi pic.twitter.com/BQSCr7qfNm

— People Media Factory (@peoplemediafcy) May 5, 2023

It’s time to get updated

Gopichand carved a niche for himself in the industry as an action hero. This is why he banks on “action” in all his film.

Besides action, Ramabanam has a good family drama. But the way the story is narrated and the characters are presented appears outdated.

There are too many films with such sentimental scenes and action sequences. In fact, Gopichand’s body language and performance in Ramabanam remind us of all his old flicks.

A fresh treatment and new-age characterisation would have made a lot of difference to Ramabanam. Hope Gopichand realises this and gets updated.

Coming to other actors, Jagapathi Babu is good in his elder brother’s role.

Kushboo is fine as Gopichand’s sister-in-law.

Dimple Hayathi has a limited role and is okay.

Also Read: Pitting one plane against another — Vimanam Vs Prema Vimanam

Vennela Kishore, Ali, Satya, and Saptagiri dish out decent comedy.

Barring a couple of songs, Mickey J Meyer’s music is average.

Editor Prawin Pudi should have trimmed the movie further.

Final take

Ramabanam is a typical Gopichand movie. It’s clean and sensible but routine and formulaic.

(Views expressed are personal.)