A Spiritual Spectacle: “Humare Ram” Stuns Dubai Opera

A Spiritual Spectacle: “Humare Ram” Stuns Dubai Opera

Last evening, under the breathtaking arches of Dubai Opera, Humare Ram unfolded not just as a play, but as a deeply spiritual journey—one that stayed with every heartbeat long after the final bow.

I have never watched a Broadway production—only heard about its legendary grandeur and meticulousness. But on that very metric, I am certain Humare Ram can stand tall and give even the best Broadway productions a run for their money. The sheer brilliance of the opulent LED backdrops, the rich tapestry of stage properties, the impressive costumes, and the painstaking makeup of each character were nothing short of spectacular.

Full marks must go to the director and playwright for choosing to script this play in a poetic form. That artistic choice elevated the Ramayan, making its timeless richness scale new heights. Each dialogue felt like a verse, each moment like a prayer.

A particularly engaging directorial choice was having the characters enter the stage amidst the audience. This clever ploy made the experience inclusive and immersive, drawing spectators into the world of the epic and making them feel part of the story itself.

The sound design—enhanced by the Opera’s magnificent acoustics—was another triumph. With music from legends like Sonu Nigam, Shankar Mahadevan, and Kailash Kher, the songs weren’t just part of the play—they became part of the audience. The haunting power of Shiv Tandav, the stirring title track Humare Ram, the fiery Dashanan by Kailash Kher, and the soulful rendition of the Hanuman Chalisa—these will follow you even after you step out of the hall. They linger like echoes of divinity.

Among the stellar cast, one performance was truly spellbinding: Ashutosh Rana as Pandit Ravan. His gait, the throw of every dialogue, the massive baritone, and commanding body language—all fused seamlessly with his mastery over language, refined through years of NSD training. Every line, every pause, every expression held the audience in rapt attention. His Ravan was not merely a villain; it was a fully realized, intellectual, and emotional presence. I can take the liberty to say, in a playful nod to his brilliance, “Take that, Humare Ram… and Hamara Rana!” This performance alone made the evening unforgettable and truly mesmerizing.

The audio settings of the mics used by Ram and Ravan could have been better. In an effort to enhance the baritone, the excessive reverberation created noticeable echo, which unfortunately spoiled some of the dialogues. It’s a minor technical glitch in an otherwise flawless performance.

The casting of Luv and Kush—who are main pivots of the play, as much of the story unfolds from their perspective and confusion—could have been younger, and ideally both could have been boys. In this performance, one appeared to be a girl (judging by a slightly effeminate voice), though it is unclear if this was a deliberate choice.

The evening also belonged to the rest of the galaxy of performers:

• Rahull R Bhuchar as Shri Ram—dignified and deeply human.

• Harleen Kaur Rekhi’s Sita—a portrait of grace and resilience.

• Danish Akhtar as Hanuman—a boundless force of devotion.

• Tarun Khanna as Shiva—serene and commanding.

• Karan Sharma as Surya—radiant and warm.

For a theater lover, this play was a masterclass in acting, storytelling, scriptwriting, performances, lights & sound arrangements, and flawless production design. Together, the cast and crew didn’t just act—they lived these roles, making us live them too.

For me, this was a real magnum opus—in terms of scale, richness, opulence, performance, and screenplay. A theatrical triumph that reimagines the Ramayan not just as an epic of the past, but as a living, breathing experience for the present.

Dubai Opera has hosted countless spectacles, but Humare Ram was something rare: a performance where art became worship, music became mantra, and theatre became a soul-stirring celebration of dharma.

This was not just a play—it was history retold as poetry, devotion staged as drama, and for me, an unforgettable spiritual pilgrimage.