The film Ramayana, starring Ranbir Kapoor, is receiving an exceptionally wonderful and unprecedented response from audiences worldwide. Ever since its much anticipated theatrical release, massive crowds of moviegoers have been flooding cinema halls, propelling the film to cross a massive box office collection of 1000 crore rupees. Given the incredible momentum with which the movie is currently progressing, if the upcoming week maintains a similar stellar performance, reaching the 2000 crore rupees milestone isn't far away, potentially establishing a monumental new benchmark in the history of Indian cinema. Alongside the compelling narrative, the breathtaking visual effects of the film are also receiving immense appreciation from critics and fans alike.
However, the single sequence that evoked the deepest emotions and brought tears to the eyes of viewers throughout the entire film is the poignant scene featuring Jatayu. This legendary character of the valiant bird has been brought to life through the powerful and resonant voice of veteran actor Anupam Kher. Sharing interesting behind-the-scenes insights, Anupam Kher recently opened up about the immense hard work, dedication, and emotional turmoil he invested in portraying the character of Jatayu during a detailed interaction with Variety India.
Anupam Kher revealed that when he was first shown the raw footage of the film, he was overwhelmed to his core and became extremely emotional. He recalled cancelling his very first day of dubbing because the production team showcased an eight to ten minute segment of the film, leaving him completely stunned and thunderstruck. Following that, when the specific sequences involving Jatayu were played for him, he had to request a brief pause, stating that he needed some time to collect himself before proceeding with the vocal sessions.
Elaborating on why voicing the character of Jatayu proved to be one of the most difficult and demanding challenges of his career, Anupam Kher explained the complex nature of the bird. He described Jatayu as a creature that's immensely brave yet breathing his last, aged and frail, having just engaged in a ferocious and brutal battle with the demon king Ravana. Under such extreme physical and emotional circumstances, an artist has to pour their entire heart, soul, and vulnerability into the performance to make it believable and heart-wrenching.
During the intense dubbing sessions, Anupam Kher worked closely and meticulously alongside director Nitesh Tiwari, while producer Namit Malhotra also participated in one of the crucial sessions, while unlike conventional dubbing projects where actors usually have a prior visual performance or reference to follow, here there was no existing physical performance to rely upon, making the vocal delivery even more critical. Anupam Kher noted that director Nitesh Tiwari held a very clear and profound emotional vision for the character of Jatayu.
Plus, the director wanted the personal bond between Jatayu and Lord Rama to feel deeply intimate, which would make the bird's relentless struggle to save Sita even more devastating for the audience. This exact creative demand was the primary reason why Anupam Kher practiced and rehearsed the final two words of the character, namely Hey Rama, at least two hundred times before finally locking the perfect take. He emphasized that while it appears to be a very short and simple line that anyone could casually say, the exact sound, pitch, and vocal texture had to match the dire physical and emotional condition of the dying bird.
Anupam Kher shared that this profoundly emotional undertone permeates through the entire battle sequence and echoes throughout the length of the film, while the sheer impact of his vocal performance is best highlighted by an endearing anecdote where Yash's son innocently asked the veteran actor why he killed the bird. Such genuine reactions stand as a testament to the fact that Anupam Kher's dedicated voice acting and Nitesh Tiwari's direction successfully immortalized the mythical character, striking a deep chord with viewers of all ages.