Published Paper Details:

Film holds a central place in shaping cultural narratives because it is one of the most powerful mediums of mass communication. Ravana, the ten-headed king of Lanka from the Indian epic Ramayana, continues to be a dominant mythological figure whose representation in cinema often oscillates between cultural reverence and stereotypical villainy. While the epic offers a multidimensional view of Ravana as a learned scholar, skilled ruler, ardent devotee of Lord Shiva, and tragic hero cinematic portrayals have largely reduced him to a one-dimensional figure embodying arrogance, lust, and cruelty. The study highlights how mainstream cinema employs visual and narrative codes - such as exaggerated physical features, booming laughter, dark costumes, and larger-than-life presence to present Ravana as the ultimate adversary to Rama's virtue. It construct a moral binary of good versus evil, often privileging Rama's righteousness while flattening Ravana's complex character into a symbol of male dominance and moral corruption. The repetition of these stereotypes across decades cultivates a fixed, negative perception of Ravana that overshadows alternative readings of his character. Nevertheless, some regional and contemporary films attempt to subvert this narrative by reimagining Ravana as a misunderstood king or a tragic hero, opening critical space for more nuanced interpretations. By situating Ravana between myth and movie, this paper argues that film plays a decisive role in both preserving and distorting mythological identities. It demonstrates how cinematic portrayals not only reflect but also actively shape cultural memory, ensuring Ravana's enduring presence as a symbolic yet stereotyped figure within Indian imagination.