Barpeta: In a remarkable tale of traditional craftsmanship meeting cinematic grandeur, 15 artisans from a remote village in Assam’s Barpeta district spent three-and-a-half years handcrafting the armour worn by Lord Ram and Lakshman in Nitesh Tiwari’s blockbuster film, Ramayana. Remarkably, the local craftsmen had no idea they were contributing to one of Indian cinema’s biggest mythological epics until the film finally hit the theatres.
Led by master artisan Jaynal Abdin of Jania Banglipara village, the dedicated team meticulously created between 30 and 35 pieces of specialised cane-and-rubber armour. The intricate gear is prominently sported by Ranbir Kapoor, portraying Lord Ram, and Ravie Dubey, who plays Lakshman.
The project initially faced a hurdle when pure cane was used for the prototypes. During early fittings, the principal actors found the pure cane armour too stiff and uncomfortable around the neck and shoulders. Consequently, costume designer Ajay asked the Assam team for an alternative material. Abdin ingeniously suggested a hybrid weave using half cane and half rubber, utilising green and black rubber supplied by the Mumbai production crew to ensure both on-screen authenticity and physical flexibility.
Operating under a veil of strict confidentiality, the project was initially brought to Abdin by Abdul Malek of the local organisation Gram Unnayan. A production team member named Sagar even camped in the Assam village to oversee precise measurements and necessary corrections. The workflow was highly erratic; artisans would hear nothing for up to six months, only to suddenly receive frantic requests to deliver eight to ten pieces on very short notice before a shooting schedule. Once ready, the heavy jackets were rushed to Guwahati Airport for urgent dispatch to Mumbai.
Despite the gruelling deadlines, the makers never revealed the film’s true title, only assuring the artisans that their hard work would bring them immense recognition in the future. Speaking to ANI following the film’s massive release, an emotional Abdin expressed his joy. “I feel immense pride—pride for my team, for myself, for my village Jania Banglipara, and for the entire Barpeta district,” he stated. Though he is yet to watch the film, the master craftsman confirmed he will definitely visit a cinema soon to see his village’s handiwork immortalised on the big screen.