‘Film is convergence of science, history, Ramayana’

A still from the film

For producer Vikram Malhotra, Ram Setu is more than the sum of storytelling, budgets and visual effects. "It is about heart and vision," he says. Abhishek Sharma's directorial venture sees Akshay Kumar as archaeologist Dr Aryan Kulshrestha who races against time to prove the existence of the Ram Setu.

Given the subject, the makers knew that detailed research would be key to telling the story. Malhotra says, "[We] consulted Dr Pushkar Bhatnagar's book, Dating The Era of Lord Ram, which is considered an authority on astrological understanding related to the Ramayana. Abhishek and team engaged with experts in the fields of archaeology, sonar imaging, carbon dating, geology, and marine exploration. The research team also studied ancient and modern history maps, including those housed in the museum at Thanjavur that have shed light on how the Ram Setu was depicted and how its name was changed to Adam's Bridge
under the British [rule]."

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Abhishek Sharma and Vikram Malhotra

While Sharma wielded the directorial baton for the action adventure, also starring Jacqueline Fernandez and Nushrratt Bharuccha, Dr Chandraprakash Dwivedi was brought in as the creative producer. "Dr Dwivedi played an important part in bridging the areas of history and spirituality with his extensive research over decades," says the producer. Announced in November 2020, the project went on floors in March 2021. "The film was shot over almost 16 months, and then the elaborate process of perfecting the VFX took over."

For the director, the film was born from a single concern: "Through their imaging, NASA [National Aeronautics and Space Administration] showed that there is a bridge that exists. But no in-depth expedition has ever been commissioned underwater on Ram Setu," he states. Through the movie, Sharma wanted to explore the subject further. "Ram Setu, the film, is a convergence of science, history, geography and the Ramayana. In the film, we have shown - in a way that it appeals to the audience - how carbon dating is done on rocks and fossils under the sea."

Authenticity was their top priority as they showed Kumar's archaeologist character undertaking this ambitious task. "Akshay sir learnt everything patiently from the geologists and archaeologists who were with us at our filming locations. We'd consult them during the shoot. We first tried to use a real Exosuit [a specialised suit that enables archaeologists to stay underwater for long]. But since it is difficult to wear one and shoot, we had a replica made."