Last updated: 3 May 2026

Hindi · Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
2h 45m · 25 Jul 1997
Writer: Bhring Tupkaria
Ratings
Our Rating
2.75
The film depicts the Uttara Kanda of the Ramayana. After Lord Rama's victory over Ravana and his coronation, he is forced to banish a pregnant Sita due to the whispers of his subjects regarding her purity. Sita finds refuge in Sage Valmiki's ashram, where she gives birth to twin sons, Luv and Kush. The boys grow up to be brave warriors and eventually challenge Rama's authority when they capture the Ashwamedha horse, leading to a confrontation between the father and his sons.
Lav Kush (1997) is a mythological drama that attempts to recreate the emotional depth of the Ramayana's final chapters. While the story is inherently powerful and culturally significant, the film's execution feels significantly dated for a late-90s release. The screenplay follows a very traditional and linear path, focusing heavily on the melodrama of Sita's exile. The pacing is quite slow, particularly in the first half, as it meticulously builds the circumstances leading to the banishment.
The second half gains some momentum with the introduction of the grown-up Luv and Kush, leading to the climactic battle and emotional reunion. However, the production values and visual effects are underwhelming, often resembling a television production rather than a cinematic epic. The music by Raamlaxman is melodic but lacks the timeless quality found in earlier mythological classics like the 1963 version of the same story.
The background score is functional but occasionally overbearing, trying to compensate for the lack of visual grandeur. Overall, the film relies heavily on the nostalgia of its cast—many of whom were famous for playing these exact roles on television—but it fails to offer a fresh or technically impressive perspective on the well-known legend.
Jeetendra: Delivers a dignified performance as Lord Rama, though he lacks the divine aura associated with the character in earlier cinematic portrayals.
Jaya Prada: Portrays Sita with grace and handles the emotional, tragic sequences with great maturity.
Arun Govil: Reprising a familiar territory as Lakshman, he provides a steady and reliable performance.
Dara Singh: Once again steps into the role of Hanuman, bringing his signature physical presence and charm to the screen.
Pran Sikand: As Valmiki, he brings a sense of authority and wisdom to the role, standing out in his limited screen time.
Strengths
Weaknesses
V. Madhusudhan Rao, a veteran director, handles the mythological subject with reverence but fails to bring any modern cinematic flair to the project. The direction is very old-school, focusing more on theatrical dialogue delivery than visual storytelling. The writing is functional but lacks the poetic depth required for such an epic tale.
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Our Rating
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| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 25% |
| Neutral | 35% |
| Negative | 40% |
The film received mixed to negative reviews from critics upon release. Most reviewers pointed out that the film felt like a step backward in terms of technology and storytelling, especially when compared to the 1963 NTR classic or the popular 1980s TV series. Public reaction was lukewarm, as the audience had already seen superior versions of this story.
Final Box-Office Result
Lav Kush released on 25 July 1997 (1997).
Lav Kush is declared a AVERAGE at the box office.
Lav Kush is available on YouTube. OTT date will be updated soon.
Lav Kush directed by V. Madhusudhan Rao.
Lav Kush stars Jeetendra, Jaya Prada, Arun Govil, Dara Singh, Pran Sikand.
Tollybo rates Lav Kush 2.75/5. Verdict: AVERAGE.
Lav Kush — Genre: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Runtime: 165 minutes, Language: Hindi.