Whenever there is talk of a hero in the Indian comics world who shows a fine
balance between nature, animal instincts, and humanity, the name of ‘Bhediya’
comes at the top. Directed by Sanjay Gupta, Prem
Ritu (Part 1) is not just a comic, but a combination of emotions, social
rules, and the strict laws of the jungle that makes the reader think. The comic
highlights the complex relationship between Bhediya and his animal form ‘Kobi’,
who are born from the same body but whose thoughts and feelings are now
completely different. Raj Comics has always given depth to its characters, and
in this series they have created a masterpiece by combining a soft theme like
‘love’ with the cruelty of the jungle.
Definition of love in the forest and beginning of the love season
The story begins with very deep thoughts and natural scenes. Author Tarun Kumar Wahi does not consider love as a subject of any book or study, but explains it as a natural force. The early pages of the comic show how a new energy spreads throughout the forest as spring approaches. Just as fruits fall from the branch when ripe, in the same way, love also starts emerging in the heart automatically. Elephants, birds, snakes, and even insects do not remain untouched by this love season. But this ‘Prem Ritu’ becomes a cause of trouble for our hero Kobi. Kobi, who is fast and powerful by nature, becomes restless under the influence of this season. He does not understand what kind of movement he has inside him, and that is where the real struggle of the story begins.
The Shadow of the Past: The Arrival of Bloodshed and a Fierce War
While on one hand Kobi is struggling with his emotions, on the other hand Bhediya faces an old and dangerous crisis. A warrior named ‘Bloodshed’, sent by Emperor Bhukrik from the 50,000-year-old past of ‘Balishthagarh’, attacks Bhediya. Bloodshed is no ordinary warrior; he has magical armor and a ‘rainbow circle’ that protects him from the adverse effects of the wind and atmosphere of this time. The battle between Bhediya and Bloodshed is one of the most exciting parts of the comic. The artwork of Adil Khan and Nagendra makes this fight even more lively. When Bloodshed strikes with his large mace, it looks as if the blow is reaching the reader directly. This battle is not just a contest of strength, but a clash between Bhediya’s wisdom and Bloodshed’s magical powers.
Kobi’s innocence and a dangerous misunderstanding
The most interesting part of this story is the character of Kobi. Kobi is often seen as a destructive force, but an innocent side of him also comes to the fore in ‘Prem Ritu’. When he meets the old soldier ‘Moosoli’ of his wolf army, he asks about the meaning of ‘pair’ and ‘wife’. Moosoli tells him that every male has a duty to protect his female and carry on his lineage. Kobi, who is the animal form of Bhediya, assumes that because Bhediya is married to ‘Jane’, Jane is his wife too. This wrong thinking of Kobi gives rise to a big crisis. He also forgets the promise between Bhediya and Kobi that they will never fight each other. The only thing left in his mind is that he should also live with his wife during the ‘love season’.
Conflict of social justice: Shocking decision of the Jungle Panchayat
The story takes a serious turn when Kobi tries to forcefully take Jane with him. Bhediya tries to stop him, but Kobi argues that he and Bhediya are one and the same, so he has a right to everything Bhediya has. The ‘Jungle Panchayat’ is called to resolve this dispute. The chiefs of the five tribes, who look after the justice system of the forest, hear the case. Bhediya’s guru, ‘Fujo Baba’, plays an important role here. He tries to convince the Panchas that Kobi is actually the animal form of Bhediya, which is separated from the influence of ‘Phobas’ and ‘Mobos’. But the Panchas have a traditional and social outlook. They see that Jane had adorned Bhediya with a garland, and because Kobi and Bhediya are intertwined, Jane would also be considered Kobi’s wife by society. The verdict of the Panchas that Jane must go with Kobi is nothing short of a major shock to readers.
Characterization and internal conflict of Bhediya-Kobi
The greatest strength of this comic is the depth of its characters. Bhediya is bound by his duty and the decorum of the forest on one side, and is worried about the safety of his girlfriend Jane on the other. Jane’s character is also shown to be quite strong; she does not hate Kobi, but the thought of being with him scares her. Fujo Baba comes across as a guide who is torn between science (the principle of separation) and tradition (the verdict of the Panchayat). Kobi’s portrayal is the most complex; he is not a villain, but a being unable to understand his feelings and convey them correctly. His love is possessive and primitive, which may seem scary to modern society or human emotions.
Artistic grandeur and unmatched direction by Sanjay Gupta
From a technical point of view, ‘Prem Ritu’ reminds us of the best era of Raj Comics. The selection of colors in the comic is according to the ‘season’—where greenery, flowers, and the beauty of nature are shown very closely. The kind of ‘sound effects’ (like Dhad, Dhadam, Kadak) that have been used to create a sense of momentum in the action scenes is a hallmark of Raj Comics. The facial expressions of the characters in each panel, especially the restlessness seen in Kobi’s eyes and the anxiety on Bhediya’s face, further strengthen the emotional side of the story. The way Sanjay Gupta has directed this entire story shows that he understands not only action but also drama and emotion very well.
Conflict between human relationships and animal instincts
This comic also gives a deep message. Is love just a right? Does marriage only mean living together? When the Panchayat decides to let Jane go with Kobi, it becomes a battle between the ‘relationship of the mind’ and the ‘relationship of the law’. Bhediya says that love is from the heart, not from the body, but the Panchas believe that society and rules are supreme. This conflict also shows the truth of today’s society, where sometimes social rules are given more importance than human emotions. Kobi’s ‘wildness’ actually symbolizes the desires hidden within us, which do not follow the rules made by society.
Conclusion: The first episode ends with an emotional and exciting twist
‘Prem Ritu’ (Part 1) ends at a juncture where the reader becomes emotional. Jane is forced to leave with Kobi, and Bhediya watches her leave helplessly. The mystery of Bloodshed has not been fully revealed yet, and the plans of Emperor Bhukrik are also still hidden. This comic is not only a special gift for the fans of Bhediya, but also a good start for those who want to understand the depth of Indian comics.
If you want a story that not only entertains but also makes you feel something, then ‘Prem Ritu’ will not disappoint you. Sanjay Gupta and his team have proved through this series that comics are not just for children, but are a strong medium to show complex human and natural relationships. Waiting for the sequel ‘Kobi Prem’ makes the reader restless, and this is the identity of a successful storyteller. This comic should be in the collection of every person who wants to witness this difficult journey of ‘Immortal Love’.
