Indian cinema has witnessed the arrival of one of its most ambitious mythological projects. Nitesh Tiwari’s much-anticipated film Ramayana: Rise of a Legend has finally arrived in theatres, bringing one of India’s most celebrated epics to the big screen with an extraordinary cinematic vision.
Starring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana, the film has generated considerable excitement among audiences. With a reported budget of approximately ₹4,000 crore for the two-part project, expectations were naturally enormous.
Released on November 5, 2026, Ramayana Part 1 has attracted attention for its visual effects, performances, music and large-scale storytelling.
But does the movie actually live up to the expectations?
Let’s take a closer look at the Ramayana movie review, including its story, cast performances, visual effects, music, ratings and audience reactions.
Ramayana Movie Details
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Movie | Ramayana: Rise of a Legend |
| Part | Part 1 |
| Director | Nitesh Tiwari |
| Producer | Namit Malhotra |
| Lead Actor | Ranbir Kapoor |
| Lead Actress | Sai Pallavi |
| Other Lead | Yash |
| Lakshman | Ravi Dubey |
| Music | A. R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer |
| Genre | Mythological, Action, Adventure, Fantasy |
| Release Date | November 5, 2026 |
| Runtime | 3 hours 15 minutes |
Ramayana Movie Story: What Is the Film About?
Ramayana tells the timeless story of Lord Rama, Goddess Sita and the battle between good and evil.
The film follows Rama’s journey from his life in Ayodhya to his exile in the forest alongside Sita and Lakshman.
During their journey, several important events shape the future of the kingdom and ultimately lead to a conflict with Ravana, the powerful king of Lanka.
The story explores themes of duty, sacrifice, relationships, righteousness and the importance of keeping one’s promises.
Director Nitesh Tiwari attempts to present this familiar epic to modern audiences without losing its traditional essence.
Rather than simply recreating a religious story, the film aims to create an immersive cinematic experience with large-scale battles, elaborate environments and emotional character moments.
Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama: Does He Deliver?
Ranbir Kapoor’s casting as Lord Rama was one of the most discussed aspects of the film even before its release.
His performance is built around calmness, restraint and sincerity rather than exaggerated expressions.
Initially, some viewers may take time to adjust to his interpretation of the character. However, as the story progresses, Kapoor develops a convincing screen presence.
His portrayal captures Rama’s respect for relationships, commitment to dharma and emotional strength.
The quieter scenes involving his family and exile are particularly important in establishing the character.
Although some critics feel his performance could have carried greater emotional intensity, his overall portrayal has received appreciation.
Yash as Ravana: One of the Biggest Highlights
If there is one performance that has attracted significant attention, it is Yash as Ravana.
The actor brings an intimidating presence to the character and gives the film some of its most memorable moments.
Rather than presenting Ravana as a straightforward villain, the movie explores aspects of his personality, ambition and power.
Yash’s screen presence, dialogue delivery and physical performance make his character stand out.
Several reviews have identified him as one of the strongest elements of the film.
His portrayal also creates an interesting contrast with Ranbir Kapoor’s relatively restrained performance as Rama.
Sai Pallavi as Sita
Sai Pallavi brings grace, simplicity and emotional strength to the role of Sita.
Her character is not merely presented as someone accompanying Rama through his journey.
The film gives Sita moments of independence, courage and determination.
Her relationship with Rama develops naturally, particularly during the forest sequences.
Sai Pallavi’s performance adds emotional depth to the story and helps maintain the human side of an otherwise enormous cinematic production.
Ravi Dubey as Lakshman
Ravi Dubey plays Lakshman, Rama’s loyal younger brother.
His performance brings energy, warmth and occasional humour to the film.
His relationship with Rama is one of the important emotional elements of the story.
Ravi Dubey manages to create a memorable presence without taking attention away from the central characters.
His performance has also received positive attention from several reviewers.
Ramayana Movie Review: Visual Effects and Cinematography
Visual effects are among the biggest talking points surrounding Ramayana.
The movie features massive environments, elaborate kingdoms, supernatural creatures, flying sequences and large-scale battle scenes.
The production design attempts to create a world that feels larger than ordinary historical or mythological films.
The cinematography also plays an important role in presenting the scale of the story.
However, not every visual effect works perfectly.
Some critics have pointed out that certain computer-generated creatures and images look artificial.
This creates an occasional disconnect between the audience and the cinematic world.
Despite these shortcomings, the overall visual ambition is impressive, and the movie clearly aims to deliver a theatrical experience.
Ramayana Music: Hans Zimmer and A. R. Rahman Collaboration
One of the most exciting aspects of the production is its musical collaboration.
A. R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer have come together to create the film’s musical identity.
Their contribution gives the movie a large-scale cinematic sound.
The background score helps establish the atmosphere during important sequences, particularly moments involving Rama, Ravana and the major battles.
The music also supports the emotional portions of the story.
For a film of this scale, the soundtrack is an important part of the overall experience.
Ramayana Movie Ratings: What Are Critics Saying?
The initial critical response to Ramayana has been largely positive, although some reviewers have expressed reservations about its storytelling and emotional depth.
Here is a snapshot of available review scores:
| Platform | Rating |
|---|---|
| Rotten Tomatoes | 77% Tomatometer |
| Rotten Tomatoes Audience | 94% Popcornmeter |
| Sacnilk Critics Score | 75/100 |
| Indian Express | 3/5 |
| NDTV | 3/5 |
| India Today | 4/5 |
These ratings reflect different reviewing audiences and methodologies, so they should not be compared as identical scoring systems.
The overall response suggests that audiences have appreciated the film’s scale, performances and visual presentation, while critics remain divided about its emotional storytelling.
What Works in Ramayana?
Several elements make Ramayana an interesting theatrical experience.
1. Yash’s Performance: His portrayal of Ravana creates a strong impression and gives the film a powerful antagonist.
2. Visual Scale: The elaborate production design and large-scale sequences make the movie visually ambitious.
3. Sai Pallavi’s Performance: Her portrayal of Sita brings emotional strength and grace.
4. Music: The collaboration between A. R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer adds another dimension to the cinematic experience.
5. Faithful Storytelling: The film attempts to respect the familiar narrative while presenting it to a modern international audience.
What Could Have Been Better?
Despite its impressive production, Ramayana is not without weaknesses.
Some important character moments could have received more emotional development.
The pacing also feels uneven in certain sections, particularly when the story moves quickly between major events.
Some computer-generated creatures and visual elements look artificial, which can affect immersion.
Additionally, certain viewers may feel that the film focuses more on visual spectacle than on the philosophical depth that makes the original epic so meaningful.
These shortcomings prevent the movie from becoming a completely flawless cinematic experience.
Is Ramayana Worth Watching in Theatres?
Yes, Ramayana is worth considering for viewers who enjoy mythology, fantasy, large-scale filmmaking and epic storytelling.
Its visual presentation, music and performances are best experienced on a big screen.
However, audiences expecting a deeply detailed emotional interpretation of every character may find certain portions less satisfying.
The movie is particularly suitable for viewers interested in seeing how Indian mythology can be presented through modern filmmaking technology.
Final Verdict: Ramayana Movie Review
Ramayana: Rise of a Legend is an ambitious attempt to bring one of India’s greatest epics to international cinema.
Ranbir Kapoor delivers a restrained portrayal of Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi brings grace to Sita, and Yash makes a powerful impression as Ravana.
Nitesh Tiwari succeeds in creating a visually impressive world, supported by the musical contribution of A. R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer.
Although the film has some weaknesses in pacing, visual consistency and emotional depth, its ambition and cinematic scale make it an important release for Indian cinema.
Our verdict: 3.5/5
If you enjoy mythological stories and grand theatrical experiences, Ramayana deserves a place on your watchlist.
**Have you watched Ramayana yet? What did you think of Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama and Yash as Ravana? Share your review in the comments below.
Leave a Reply