Ram Ke Naam (1992) User Reviews

A documentary about the Ayodhya dispute.

[siddharthbirdi · 10/10 · 29 July 2008]

One of the best Indian documentaries i have ever seen. It took nearly six of legal dispute before it was finally aired on doordarshan(Indian state television),and still created a furore. A hard hitting documentary for those who seek the truth about the issue.

It deals with the the politicization of the Ayodhya dispute and it's influence on the rise of militant Hindutva, also the impressions the dispute made on various communities. It shows the common man's apathy towards the whole dispute and the inherent brotherhood between men being challenged by communal forces. It also questions the integrity of the religious leaders supporting the cause, and shows the indifference of politicians to the plight of the common man. Another important point made in the documentary is the caste divide that exists on the issue.

Should be mandatory viewing for every Indian

[londonmapper · 9/10 · 21 November 2019]

Despite having been a youth during the Ayodhya riots, my knowledge of the topic was as incomplete as most people of India. I had seen riots in the city I lived in, had seen the timber shops that I passed for years while walking to school burnt. 5 years later, I walked the same roads and found that the timber shops had risen again, only the ownership had changed, as had the governments. This movie - with interviews with the actual people who 40 years later had placed the idols in the mosque, the mahants who have been conducting pujas for the last 40 years, and imams of the mosque, as well as residents of Ayodhya - makes the truth amazingly clear. That the VHP and BJP together created an issue in 1985 of a non issue, mainly to come to power. That the Congress and all other parties either colluded with them or sat silent. And that the issue was started in 1949 by the DM ordering placement of the idols, then sealing the premises, and then joining politics and becoming an MP! That things were no better in 1949 than they are in 2019! Highly recommended viewing for every Indian. A big thanks to well wishers for uploading this documentary on you tube. Now that I have downloaded it, it wont matter if they remove it!

Rewatching 4th Time

[itsakashpandey · 10/10 · 8 June 2020]

I have seen 3 of Anand Patwardhan's Documentaries. And decided to go back and watch again this Film. I am shooked by this documentary. How terribly the non-issue was made to the biggest issue (over Employment, Poverty, education etc) in India only to gain Money and power. The current BJP government ruined the social fabric of India. & I still regret voting for them in 2019 knowing nothing about their reality. Thankyou Anand Patwardhan sir, for your great journalism and investigations. I loved your documentary. Great work.

A portrayal of the events of Babri Mosque(1992) and BJP.

[msmys · 17 June 2000]

A portrayal into the BJP's suspicious moves during the events around Babri Mosque demolition in december 1992. This documentary explores the other side of the coin. A well made documentary with a purpose, was lost for more than six years in legal battles against BJP. Though the world got a chance to see it late, it is still a very informative documentary, leaving a big question mark on ethics of BJP as a national party.

Wonderful Documentary!!

[sriramthestranger · 9/10 · 8 August 2020]

Witnessed a fine and sensible journalism after ages. So far, I thought that movies and media hyped too much about the 1992 demolition but after seeing this, I was shocked at the real events that led to it. Reality, is much worse than fiction. No media of today will show how Hindus and Muslims in the villages were in harmony living together. In fact, their main question was what will the temple do to them? Will it improve their lifestyle and uplift them? Views of both liberal and extremists are captured well and how parties like VHP, BJP capitalized on the masses in the name of God!!! Definitely, one of the must watch documentaries regarding the Ayodhya disputes!!

Stunning Movie!

[irfanangel · 10/10 · 7 August 2020]

A stunning movie that must be watched by everyone. It is a documentation of events that led to the demolition of Babri Masjid. Please watch this movie and decide for yourself.

By far the best documentary I have ever seen!

[chinmaypacharne · 9/10 · 16 March 2021]

Given the topic of Ayodhya mandir and masjid is certainly the most delicate and controversial topic in Indian history! This topic was first used by Britishers to break the harmony between Hindu and Muslims so they won't be a problem in their imperial rule. And years later this topic set the bricks to the base of facist party of Lal Krishna Advani! Who brainwashed half of Hindus giving rise to Bhartiya Janta Party. This doesn't stops here. Since I was born.. in every election I have seen, this particular topic is being used as a big weapon and has more importance than issues like economy, employment, poverty, education, etc. And the fun fact is it being more reasonable to the important issues I've stated above . Doomed as a country , leaders of that ideology are now rulers of India. After 28 years of this documentary and years of violence and brainwashing.. the Supreme Court gave green flag to Mandir construction, a historical decision. So the end of it all ? Does it stop ? So it's done and now people can focus on real issues ? Hopefully they are smart enough? OR the mandir was just a way to spark madness by using beliefs and faith of people for their own profit! So as the decision is made and expectations of peaceful India is in our mind ? Or people realise the truth of this divide and conquer approach of BJP . They first used mandir as a weapon for their vote bank and you'll as some point realise they'll eventually find a new way to brainwash people to fight against each other and continue to grow their vote bank with divide and conquer approach.

The documentary ends with verses that were composed by Kabir and gives a perfect conclusion to the whole thing.

" Saints, I see The world is mad If I tell the truth They rush to beat me If I lie they trust me Hindus claim Ram as the One Muslims claim Rahim Then they kill each other Knowing not The essence With prayer beads and caps And brows of holy paint They lose themselves In sacred hymns but Know not their own souls Many holy men I've seen Teachers of holy books Who acquire disciples Venerate graves But know not God The world goes on Like this and yet They call me mad But Kabir says , listen Who's the one insane? "

Every Indian Must Watch This

[Shameer_k89 · 9/10 · 13 February 2024]

This is must watch documentary for all Indian. This documentary very well portrayed on the ground situations at the time of Ayodhya Dispute. This was shot on 1991 before 1992 incident. What were the minds of different sections of people and who benefits by the incident. You may not be able to find this documentary easily in the main media when you try to watch, because this is banned sometimes. This one and hour documentary will give lot's of insights into the 1990s situation and geound realities. Your 1.5 hours won't be wasted. Have an open and 1990s mind before watching as you were in 1990s. Be a person with 1990s brain who doesn't know anything happened later. Jai Hind.