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Revisiting Hey Ram: Decoding 45 stunning frames from Kamal Haasan's magnum opus that are more than what meets the eye

It's been more than 20 years since Hey Ram released. Apart from its direct narration, it sublimely tells us a lot more. Here, we try to decode it in our own ways hoping that's what Kamal too would've meant.
It's been more than 20 years since Hey Ram released. Apart from its direct narration, it sublimely tells us a lot more. Here, we try to decode it in our own ways hoping that's what Kamal too would've meant.
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1) The reference to Mahatma Gandhi starts in the very first scene where the grandson of Saket Ram explains to Munawar how Ram prefers darkness to which Munawar says Gandhi sleeps with the lights on.
1) The reference to Mahatma Gandhi starts in the very first scene where the grandson of Saket Ram explains to Munawar how Ram prefers darkness to which Munawar says Gandhi sleeps with the lights on.
2) Ram Jr. tells Munawar how his granddad's stories were always in first person singular and that left him wondering what's fact and what's fiction. Hey Ram the film is also narrated in such a manner.
2) Ram Jr. tells Munawar how his granddad's stories were always in first person singular and that left him wondering what's fact and what's fiction. Hey Ram the film is also narrated in such a manner.
3) The first shot of the flashback is of a double burial site where we see both Ram (Kamal Haasan) and Amjad (Shah Rukh), framed to look like they're in a mess together with a white man looking over.
3) The first shot of the flashback is of a double burial site where we see both Ram (Kamal Haasan) and Amjad (Shah Rukh), framed to look like they're in a mess together with a white man looking over.
4) In Karachi, Amjad and Lalvani joke with Ram's wife Aparna (Rani) over the phone that Ram already had a wife and is now in his second marriage. It acts as a premonition to what later happened.
4) In Karachi, Amjad and Lalvani joke with Ram's wife Aparna (Rani) over the phone that Ram already had a wife and is now in his second marriage. It acts as a premonition to what later happened.
The first shot of Aparna has her wielding a gun and what later happens to her is something Ram tries to deal with with the same gun. It becomes a symbol of why he takes up violence in the first place.
The first shot of Aparna has her wielding a gun and what later happens to her is something Ram tries to deal with with the same gun. It becomes a symbol of why he takes up violence in the first place.
6) Speaking of premonitions, the piano and its beautiful tunes were considered as a symbol of love for Ram and Aparna. With their life going haywire, this shot shows the piano being played erratically
6) Speaking of premonitions, the piano and its beautiful tunes were considered as a symbol of love for Ram and Aparna. With their life going haywire, this shot shows the piano being played erratically
7) This shot is another premonition to what happens later in the film. The red ink Ram rubs over his hand to use it as kumkum for Aparna later becomes red once again with Aparna's blood.
7) This shot is another premonition to what happens later in the film. The red ink Ram rubs over his hand to use it as kumkum for Aparna later becomes red once again with Aparna's blood.
8) And so, it begins!
8) And so, it begins!
9) Peace-loving Muslims, who want to stay in India instead of moving to Pakistan with Jinnah, are stabbed in the back, literally!
9) Peace-loving Muslims, who want to stay in India instead of moving to Pakistan with Jinnah, are stabbed in the back, literally!
10) When he goes on a Ram-page killing Althaf to avenge the death of Aparna, one of his spectacle lenses is broken. Is his vision blurred and is not able to see the bigger picture?
10) When he goes on a Ram-page killing Althaf to avenge the death of Aparna, one of his spectacle lenses is broken. Is his vision blurred and is not able to see the bigger picture?
11) Here's our personal favourite - a shot of an elephant who mourns the death of his mahout. It reminds him of the loneliness that's going to doom him for the rest of his life and he breaks down.
11) Here's our personal favourite - a shot of an elephant who mourns the death of his mahout. It reminds him of the loneliness that's going to doom him for the rest of his life and he breaks down.
12) Theatrical wigs and fancy dresses - probably a take of Kamal on how he personally views religions and those who fight for it.
12) Theatrical wigs and fancy dresses - probably a take of Kamal on how he personally views religions and those who fight for it.
13) A dog staying inside a killed cow - is that a symbolic representation of how people are inside a country in chaos?
13) A dog staying inside a killed cow - is that a symbolic representation of how people are inside a country in chaos?
14) Remember the piano reference earlier? It coming down crashing to the floor represents the end of a phase in Ram's life that had Aparna in the middle of it.
14) Remember the piano reference earlier? It coming down crashing to the floor represents the end of a phase in Ram's life that had Aparna in the middle of it.
15) A brainwashed Ram with vengeance in his heart is represented here with the same elephant, who thinks he doesn't need a mahout (a leader) and can take care of himself on his own.
15) A brainwashed Ram with vengeance in his heart is represented here with the same elephant, who thinks he doesn't need a mahout (a leader) and can take care of himself on his own.
16) Elephants are once again a metaphor to Ram. Another giant is shown to imply the change of backdrop Thanjavur. It's chained to show the mental baggage Ram is carrying, and the new marriage.
16) Elephants are once again a metaphor to Ram. Another giant is shown to imply the change of backdrop Thanjavur. It's chained to show the mental baggage Ram is carrying, and the new marriage.
17) As Ram blesses Mythili (Vasundhara Das), he notices Aparna's toe ring in his hand. As Ilaiyaraja's instrumental of Nee Partha Paarvai fills our ears, Ram gets reminded of his ex-wife.
17) As Ram blesses Mythili (Vasundhara Das), he notices Aparna's toe ring in his hand. As Ilaiyaraja's instrumental of Nee Partha Paarvai fills our ears, Ram gets reminded of his ex-wife.
18) As someone who's convinced that Gandhi is the reason behind the India-Pak partition, Ram finds out on the first day of marriage that his in-laws are staunch believers in the Mahatma's way of life.
18) As someone who's convinced that Gandhi is the reason behind the India-Pak partition, Ram finds out on the first day of marriage that his in-laws are staunch believers in the Mahatma's way of life.
19) Ram reads Gandhi's biography and when Mythili asks about it, he says he isn't a fan and was reading it just because he didn't have any other option, despite having a shelf of books opposite him.
19) Ram reads Gandhi's biography and when Mythili asks about it, he says he isn't a fan and was reading it just because he didn't have any other option, despite having a shelf of books opposite him.
20) This scene where Mythili shouts over a wall lizard brings back Ram's memories of the night Aparna died. It's a scene that shows the classic symptoms of Ram's Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
20) This scene where Mythili shouts over a wall lizard brings back Ram's memories of the night Aparna died. It's a scene that shows the classic symptoms of Ram's Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
21) Here's another of our favourites. Mr Nair who lives in Ram's Calcutta home thinks Ram is searching for a person named Saket Ram. Ram plays with it by saying Saket's a friend who he lost there.
21) Here's another of our favourites. Mr Nair who lives in Ram's Calcutta home thinks Ram is searching for a person named Saket Ram. Ram plays with it by saying Saket's a friend who he lost there.
22) Considering avoidance of people is also a symptom of PTSD, Ram tries to mask his feelings from Mythili when she talks about the horror Ram had to go through in Calcutta.
22) Considering avoidance of people is also a symptom of PTSD, Ram tries to mask his feelings from Mythili when she talks about the horror Ram had to go through in Calcutta.
23) Mythili once again talks high of Gandhi to Ram and they have a conversation about the Gandhi's Three Monkeys. As a man who will later share the same belief has two versions of it next to his bed.
23) Mythili once again talks high of Gandhi to Ram and they have a conversation about the Gandhi's Three Monkeys. As a man who will later share the same belief has two versions of it next to his bed.
24) Ram reunites with his old friend Lalwani who lost his family and home in the riots. When Lalwani cries to Ram saying that Ram wouldn't understand his pain as he's a South Indian, Ram tells he does
24) Ram reunites with his old friend Lalwani who lost his family and home in the riots. When Lalwani cries to Ram saying that Ram wouldn't understand his pain as he's a South Indian, Ram tells he does
25) The reference to Ramayan doesn't get more obvious. The Maharaja lights up the figurine of lord Ram, who fires an arrow at Raavan, like how Ram is misled into believing that Gandhi is the enemy.
25) The reference to Ramayan doesn't get more obvious. The Maharaja lights up the figurine of lord Ram, who fires an arrow at Raavan, like how Ram is misled into believing that Gandhi is the enemy.
26) Ram hits a new low as, in an inebriated state, he 'officially' joins the fundamentalists. The path to it, as shown here, is muddy that turns to black and white tiles denoting there's no more grey.
26) Ram hits a new low as, in an inebriated state, he 'officially' joins the fundamentalists. The path to it, as shown here, is muddy that turns to black and white tiles denoting there's no more grey.
27) Seeing the portrait of goddess Durga triggers Ram's PTSD making him see Aparna in the Maharaja. He had previously safeguarded her painting of Durga too. This clears his mind and he's all in now.
27) Seeing the portrait of goddess Durga triggers Ram's PTSD making him see Aparna in the Maharaja. He had previously safeguarded her painting of Durga too. This clears his mind and he's all in now.
28) Once Ram's on board, Kamal brings in his ideologies into play once again. He compares the Hindu extremists with Hitler by turning the Swastika with Hakenkreuz in a small graphics sequence.
28) Once Ram's on board, Kamal brings in his ideologies into play once again. He compares the Hindu extremists with Hitler by turning the Swastika with Hakenkreuz in a small graphics sequence.
29) Here's another shot that tells that Ram is clear with his intentions and that's to go against Gandhi to avenge the death of his Aparna. Similar top angle shots are used to denote the connection.
29) Here's another shot that tells that Ram is clear with his intentions and that's to go against Gandhi to avenge the death of his Aparna. Similar top angle shots are used to denote the connection.
30) Here's another Ramayan reference. On his deathbed, the aptly-named Abhayankar proves to Ram how he has been the equivalent of Hanuman to lord Ram. The gun symbolises lord Ram's partner, Sita.
30) Here's another Ramayan reference. On his deathbed, the aptly-named Abhayankar proves to Ram how he has been the equivalent of Hanuman to lord Ram. The gun symbolises lord Ram's partner, Sita.
31) In one of his many delusions, which, in this particular scene, is a dream, Ram compares his mission to be a hurricane and he believes that he will come out of it unscathed.
31) In one of his many delusions, which, in this particular scene, is a dream, Ram compares his mission to be a hurricane and he believes that he will come out of it unscathed.
32) The night before he leaves to Delhi (via Varanasi) to complete his mission, Ram touches his aunt's toe ring as a reminder of Aparna and why he is what he has now become.
32) The night before he leaves to Delhi (via Varanasi) to complete his mission, Ram touches his aunt's toe ring as a reminder of Aparna and why he is what he has now become.
33) In Delhi, while checking in at a hotel, he uses a pseudonym K Bhairav (Kala Bhairav). He leaves his family and throws away his identity in the Ganges in Varanasi like an Aghori and hence the name.
33) In Delhi, while checking in at a hotel, he uses a pseudonym K Bhairav (Kala Bhairav). He leaves his family and throws away his identity in the Ganges in Varanasi like an Aghori and hence the name.
34) This is the scene where Ram bumps into Nathuram Godse and actually comes in between Godse's plan, both literally and figuratively, of assassinating Gandhi.
34) This is the scene where Ram bumps into Nathuram Godse and actually comes in between Godse's plan, both literally and figuratively, of assassinating Gandhi.
35) Ram's gun, which is compared to goddess Sita, ends up in Azad soda factory. The factory is in a Muslim area, which is to be considered as Lanka, as it's 'enemy' side. Now, Ram has to recover Sita.
35) Ram's gun, which is compared to goddess Sita, ends up in Azad soda factory. The factory is in a Muslim area, which is to be considered as Lanka, as it's 'enemy' side. Now, Ram has to recover Sita.
36) Green coloured light on a Hindu Brahmin and Orange coloured light on a Muslim. Enough said!
36) Green coloured light on a Hindu Brahmin and Orange coloured light on a Muslim. Enough said!
37) When a Hindu mob stops Ram and Amjad, to save his friend, Ram tells the Mob that Amjad is his brother Bharat dressed up as a Muslim. In Ramayana, Bharat is the younger half brother of Lord Ram.
37) When a Hindu mob stops Ram and Amjad, to save his friend, Ram tells the Mob that Amjad is his brother Bharat dressed up as a Muslim. In Ramayana, Bharat is the younger half brother of Lord Ram.
38) Remember when Ram spoke about himself in the third person? In his death bed, it's Amjad's time to call Ram in the third person as a monster when compared to Ram's other side who saved him.
38) Remember when Ram spoke about himself in the third person? In his death bed, it's Amjad's time to call Ram in the third person as a monster when compared to Ram's other side who saved him.
39) A reformed Ram notices how Gandhi tells a photographer (Henri Cartier-Bresson) not to shoot him from the back, which is a callback to an earlier scene, where Ram plans on killing Gandhi from back.
39) A reformed Ram notices how Gandhi tells a photographer (Henri Cartier-Bresson) not to shoot him from the back, which is a callback to an earlier scene, where Ram plans on killing Gandhi from back.
40) The final & best Ramayan reference comes when Ram meets Gandhi. His aide informs him that Ram saved the lives of many Muslims in a riot, to which Gandhi calls Ram as 'My Ram from the South.'
40) The final & best Ramayan reference comes when Ram meets Gandhi. His aide informs him that Ram saved the lives of many Muslims in a riot, to which Gandhi calls Ram as 'My Ram from the South.'
41) Back in the present, the 89-year-old Ram sees his last delusion - a nurse as Mythili, his Sita. Calling his life a nightmare, he asks Mythili to wake him up following which he dies.
41) Back in the present, the 89-year-old Ram sees his last delusion - a nurse as Mythili, his Sita. Calling his life a nightmare, he asks Mythili to wake him up following which he dies.
42) As Saket Ram Jr. opens Ram's wardrobe to give Tushar Gandhi his great grandfather's belongings, we can see that Ram has guarded both the paintings of Aparna and Mythili - Andal and Durga paintings
42) As Saket Ram Jr. opens Ram's wardrobe to give Tushar Gandhi his great grandfather's belongings, we can see that Ram has guarded both the paintings of Aparna and Mythili - Andal and Durga paintings
43) The framed photographs in Ram's room, when viewed from left to right, denote the happenings of his life in order.
43) The framed photographs in Ram's room, when viewed from left to right, denote the happenings of his life in order.
44) The last frame of the film, which is as iconic as the film itself, can be interpreted in quite a few ways. I believe it means Gandhi was the window that opened the otherwise stuffed soul of Ram.
44) The last frame of the film, which is as iconic as the film itself, can be interpreted in quite a few ways. I believe it means Gandhi was the window that opened the otherwise stuffed soul of Ram.
45) BONUS SLIDE: Not saying much here. This is just an additional slide to mention the brilliant use of reflections throughout the film. Not all films 'ram' its way into our hearts like this one!
45) BONUS SLIDE: Not saying much here. This is just an additional slide to mention the brilliant use of reflections throughout the film. Not all films 'ram' its way into our hearts like this one!
Kamal Haasan
Hey Ram

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