Lav Kush
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	V. Madhusudhana Rao
Written by	Bhring Tupkaria (dialogues) Dev Kohli Bhring Tupkaria (lyrics)
Based on	Uttar Ramayan
Produced by	Dilip Kanikaria
Starring	Jeetendra Jaya Prada Arun Govil[2] Dara Singh Pran
Cinematography	K. S. Prakash Rao
Edited by	K. Vijaya Babu
Music by	Raamlaxman
Production company	Devyank Arts
Release date	25 July 1997 (1997-07-25) [1]
Running time	165 minutes
Country	India
Language	Hindi

Lav Kush is a 1997 Indian Hindu mythological film, produced by Dilip Kanikaria under the Devyank Arts banner and directed by V. Madhusudhana Rao.^[3] It is based on Valmiki's Uttar Ramayan from the Indian epic Ramayana. The music of the film was composed by Raamlaxman. It stars Jeetendra as Rama, Jaya Prada as Sita, Arun Govil as Lakshmana, Dara Singh as Hanuman and Pran as Valmiki.^[4]

Upon its release, the film was a financial disaster grossing ₹43 lakh at the box office.^[1]

The film begins with Lord Rama returning to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana along with Goddess Sita and being crowned as the emperor, settling down to a harmonious lifestyle. At that point, his spies inform him that his reputation may be at stake as Sita had spent over a year in Ravana's Lanka. So, he dictates Lakshmana to ensure that Sita is sent to exile. A devastated, pregnant, and distraught Sita is rescued by Valmiki, who shelters her at his ashram by renaming her Lokapavni, where she gives birth to twin sons Lava- Kusha. Valmiki trains them as jake of all trades including knowledge, warfare, and religion.

Ten years later, the twins decide to visit a drought and famine-ravaged Ayodhya to get the blessings of Srirama & Sita also recite the Ramayan. Whereupon, they get the knowledge that Srirama has ostracized Sita. Later, they back with an aversion and refuses to invoke the Ramayan. Sita fails to endure, and fumes which indicate fright. However, she calms after Lava-Kusa re-chanting the Ramayana. After a while, Vashitha instructs Rama to conduct Aswamedha Yagam for the welfare of the country which is impracticable without a wife. Then, Vashista proclaims it can be feasible with the golden ideal of Sita. Plus, the gold required for it is bestowed by the civilians as an atonement for their sins. Now all the sages and saints are invited to the ritual and news spreads to Valmiki's ashram. At this, Sita is perturbed, suspects Srirama's spirit, and collapses. Accordingly, Valmiki relieves her soul to Ayodhya where she is startled to see golden Sita and Srirama's adoration on her.

Soon after, Valmiki states that the meaning of Rama Avtar is standing on one word, one arrow and love is for only one wife. Herewith, Sita repents and performs a pooja as contrition as per the advice of Valmiki. Meanwhile, Srirama begins the ritual and leaves the horse which the twins obstruct, confronts Lakshman, and defeats the entire Ayodhya army along with him. Being cognizant of it, Srirama proceeds to recoup the horse and an altercation carry out between father & sons which leads to war. Spotting it, Anjineeya hurriedly rushes to Sita and informs her of the catastrophe. Immediately, she impedes the battle and proclaims Lava-Kusha as the progeny of Srirama. Thus, the two embrace their father when everyone requests Sita to be back as queen which she denies and returns to her mother Bhudevi. At last, Rama and his brothers renounce the throne by crowning Lava-Kusha. Finally, the movie ends on a happy note with Rama & Sita merging into their original forms of Vishnu and Lakshmi at Vaikuntha.

The songs were composed by Raamlaxman and penned by Dev Kohli and Bhring Tupkari. Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Suresh Wadkar, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam have lent their voices for the soundtrack.

• Lav Kush at IMDb