Ram-Leela (Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram–Leela) is inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet – tragic love Hindi style. Set in present-day Gujarat, Ram-Leela takes place in the mythical town of Ranjaar. Ranjaar has been divided between two criminal families with a history of 500 years of enmity between them: the Rajari and the Suneda. Ram, son of the Rajari Don, has no taste for the family business of guns. Ram is a lover. He is the local casanova: cocky, arrogant, handsome, and proud. Leela, daughter of the intimidating Baa, Godmother of the clan Suneda, is being presented to a geeky, NRI archeologist from London; her mother’s choice for Leela’s husband. Leela is as graceful, as she is beautiful, but she is ruled by her impulsive and wildly passionate nature.
It is Holi and having tired of the ladies on his side of town, Ram convinces his buddies to look for new conquests in enemy territory. When Ram sees Leela in the Suneda’s courtyard, the attraction is immediate.
Leela makes the first move by flirting, teasing, and even kissing Ram. He is smitten. When Leela’s brother discovers the intruders, he throws them out. But Ram quietly steals back and finds Leela alone on her balcony. When Leela invites him into her bedroom, they ignite a passion that will lead to exhilaration, bitterness, humiliation, and eventually doom.
Ram-Leela is the creation of producer/director/writer/music director Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Bhansali is known for creating movies that are melodramatic, visual masterpieces and in Ram-Leela, he does not disappoint. Bhansali creates a surreal world that is wild and lawless, teeming with rowdy folks and colorfully festive celebrations, yet with the necessities of modern life, such as cell phones and computers.
As Ram, Ranveer Singh owned the part. His physical appearance (beard, body, costume, turban) were so equal to Deepika Padukone‘s as Leela, that these two immensely attractive actors had amazing chemistry. Ranveer acted charming, arrogant, giddy, sweet, impulsive, confused, heartbroken, pain-filled and responsible, with ease.
Deepika Padukone was equally fascinating. In turn, she was playful, foolhardy, elegant, graceful, disrespectful, wild, stubborn, and vulnerable. Together they make you remember the excitement of first love: teasing, flirting, and obsession.
The songs and dances were all wonderfully done. From Ram’s self-centered introduction in “Tattad Tattad”, to the beautifully choreographed folk dances, and finally, Leela’s gracefully sensuous seduction of Ram in “Ang Laga De.” Other actors were captivating, too. My favorites are Baa (Supriya Pathak), Leela’s gangster mother, and Raseela (Richa Chadda) Leela’s recently widowed sister-in-law.
