Why are Indian directors so obsessed with massive retellings of epics like Ramayana?

Genuine question. not trying to offend anyone.

These stories are incredibly sacred and deeply rooted in people’s emotions. Expectations are sky-high, and even a small misstep can upset audiences. On top of that, everyone already knows the story. So why invest thousands of crores into huge VFX-heavy productions with expensive star casts, when the risk of “not living up to it” is so high?

Wouldn’t it be more interesting (and maybe even more impactful) to explore specific moments, dilemmas, or conversations from these epics instead of retelling the whole thing again?

For example, the moral and philosophical dilemma of Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita- that’s essentially an intense, personal conflict set in a war backdrop. It could be made into a powerful, character-driven film without needing insane budgets or heavy VFX. And honestly, I don’t think everyone fully understands or has explored that part in depth.

Why not focus on:

• smaller, meaningful slices of these epics
• deeper character exploration
• philosophical conflicts instead of spectacle

Is it just about box office pull and scale? Or do audiences actually prefer grand retellings over thoughtful interpretations?

Curious to hear what others think.