Hanuman returns review

Shambhu Sahu

Movie: Hanuman Returns (animation)
Director: Anurag Kashyap

Hanuman Returns on big screen, but it is no sequel to the earlier saga of the Hindu Lord, which was based on the Ramayana. Here, he is back in a new avtaar of a human kid in a completely independent film, which has a new and contemporary story with a nice blend of mythology and message.

The film is about Maruti (Hanuman) who comes to Bajrangpur village in Mrityulok (Earth) to help a little boy Minku who is always bullied by the other children there. Besides that he also fights 'paapis' (evil human souls) who are worst than the 'Rakshashas' (devils).

In the due course of his journey, Maruti makes you enjoy the movie through his tactics like when he eats up the entire village's food, teaches a lesson to the mischievous boys who teased Minku, his superhero acts when he goes to school and even later while fighting the demons from heaven and earth.

Though the film has nothing new in terms of story, it's the narration where director Anurag Kashyap scores, though too in patches. The basic plot remains the same - that of victory of good over evil. But for that, nothing could be better than the epic tale of Ramayana, which veteran animator V G Samant presented in 'Hanuman' two years back.

But yes, Anurag's succeeds in making his tale interesting through his presentation where he not only entertains but also makes a comment or two on the present day evils like cruelty and selfishness. He also reminds us of our faulty disposal of 'plastics' which were said to be main culprit behind the Mumbai floods in 2005.

This film is a complete deviation from his earlier films as a director of 'Black Friday' and 'No Smoking'. He goes beyond making more than just an animation film. He uses special effects in animation by installing sophisticated gadgets in the eyes of an eagle or by making Maruti dodge bullets a la Keanu Reeves in 'Matrix'.

Moreover, he also creates humour in mythology by making Chitragupt, the Hindu lord who was assigned the job of keeping records of all activities surf the internet and make an official contract when Hanuman seeks a 'transfer' to earth, etc.

There are many more such interesting instances in the film that not only kids but even adults will enjoy. For example, 'Kitne aadami the' and 'Ye dosti hum nahin chhodenge'take offs from 'Sholay'; interesting copy of voices of stars like Sanjeev Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, Raj Kumar etc.

Moreover, you also get glimpses of Rajnikanth, Shah RukhKhan and blink-you-miss appearance of Himesh Reshammiya but in animated characters of course.

The film somehow lacks one major binding plot as it shuttles between mythology and contemporary world. Though Maruti is cute and adorable but you still you keep waiting for the real 'mythological' Hanuman and his adventures. The expectation is inevitable as the film has been titled 'Hanuman Returns '.

Still, the film is an interesting watch particularly for kids. Also, as an Indian animation film, it might not be as good as western films, but it certainly is a big leap towards that. Enjoy.