Ram Setu

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*Ram Setu* (2022) presents a story that blends archaeology, faith, and adventure, with the central premise rooted in the ongoing debate about the historicity of the Ramayana. The film follows Dr. Aryan Kulshrestha (Akshay Kumar), a world-renowned archaeologist tasked by the government to prove that the Ram Setu (also known as Adam's Bridge), which exists between India and Sri Lanka, is a natural formation and not a man-made structure. While Aryan's wife, Gayatri (Nushrratt Bharuccha), cautions him against the controversy it might stir, he proceeds with the project, despite the public outcry and the backlash against questioning the significance of the bridge.

As Aryan investigates the bridge, the evidence starts pointing to the possibility that it is, in fact, man-made, leading to complications. He faces opposition from an industrialist (Nassar), who wants to destroy the bridge, and finds himself in grave danger as the stakes rise. The crux of the film lies in Aryan and his team escaping peril and racing against time to save Ram Setu.

The movie blends fact with fiction in an attempt to present the Ramayana not as folklore, but as historical truth. The narrative takes the audience through various locations in Sri Lanka, though due to the pandemic, many scenes were shot in India. The underwater effects are decent but don’t quite match the grandeur one might expect from a film of this genre. The filmmakers take inspiration from the *Indiana Jones* series but fall short of delivering the high-paced, edge-of-the-seat excitement typically associated with such films.

Akshay Kumar plays the lead role, but his portrayal as a calm and academic archaeologist feels underwhelming, especially considering his action star credentials. He doesn’t quite get to showcase the full range of his abilities as an action hero, which detracts from the excitement. Instead of diving into the mysteries of the Ramayana with the thrill expected from such films, the film leans more heavily into preachiness and arguments about taking the epic at face value. This shift in tone may disappoint viewers hoping for an action-packed adventure.

The supporting cast includes Satya Dev, who brings some mystery to the film, adding an unexpected twist, but the roles of Jacqueline Fernandez and Nushrratt Bharuccha are minimal. While they perform competently, their characters don't contribute much beyond providing support to the main plot.

Overall, *Ram Setu* struggles to strike a balance between an adventurous narrative and the heavy-handed delivery of its message. While Akshay Kumar’s dedication to the film is clear, the final product leaves a sense of unfulfilled potential. The film’s attempt at exploring a historical myth is interesting, but it could have benefited from more excitement and less preaching.