Ramayana: Part One is a mythological epic directed by Nitesh Tiwari, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi and Yash in lead roles. Released worldwide in theatres on November 5, 2026, the film brings the timeless Indian epic to the big screen through large-scale sets, elaborate visual effects and an international musical collaboration between A. R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer.
While the film aims to recreate the world of Rama and Ravana on an extraordinary cinematic scale, its biggest strength also becomes a limitation. The spectacle is impressive, but the familiar characters often lack the emotional depth and complexity needed to make this retelling truly powerful. Despite sincere performances and striking visuals, the narrative sometimes feels more focused on presentation than substance.
Ramayana Movie Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Movie Name | Ramayana: Part One |
| Release Date | November 5, 2026 |
| Genre | Mythological, Epic, Action, Drama |
| Director | Nitesh Tiwari |
| Writers | Nitesh Tiwari, Shridhar Raghavan |
| Based On | Ramayana by Valmiki |
| Producers | Namit Malhotra, Yash, Merzin Tavaria, Rohan Desai |
| Production Companies | Prime Focus Studios, Monster Mind Creations |
| Main Cast | Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Yash, Ravie Dubey, Sunny Deol, Arun Govil, Lara Dutta, Vivek Oberoi, Kunal Kapoor, Rakul Preet Singh |
| Cinematography | Pankaj Kumar, Mahesh Limaye |
| Music | A. R. Rahman, Hans Zimmer, Rishab Rikhiram Sharma, James Newton Howard |
| Editing | Huzefa Lokhandwala, William Hoy |
| Runtime | Approximately 3 Hours 15 Minutes |
| OTT Platform | Not Announced |
| Rating | 3/5 |
Ramayana Story Overview
The story follows the journey of Lord Rama (Ranbir Kapoor), the prince of Ayodhya and an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, whose destiny is connected to the destruction of evil. Meanwhile, Ravana (Yash), the powerful ruler of Lanka, rises through devotion, ambition and extraordinary strength, eventually becoming a threat to the balance of the universe.
The narrative explores Ravana's origins and growing power before shifting towards Rama's life in Ayodhya. Rama marries Sita (Sai Pallavi), the princess of Mithila, but their happiness is interrupted when political circumstances force him into a 14-year exile.
Accompanied by Sita and his younger brother Lakshmana (Ravi Dubey), Rama leaves the kingdom. Their journey eventually brings them into conflict with Ravana, whose actions set the stage for the legendary battle between good and evil. The rest of the story follows the events leading to Sita's abduction and establishes the conflict that will shape the next instalment.
#RAMAYANA PART ONE Review: Not Just the Finest Cinematic Adaptation of the Epic, But an Extraordinary Experience!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟 (4.5 Stars)
Adapting the Ramayana is one of the biggest challenges any filmmaker can take on. There are countless expectations, interpretations, opinions and sentiments attached to this story. Glad to note director Nitesh Tiwari handles the responsibility with remarkable conviction. He delivers a film that does justice to the story and gives us something we can genuinely be proud of.
RAMAYANA has grandeur, emotion and an engaging narrative. The action sequences are slick, the world-building is impressive and the film has several moments that truly hit home. And I am already genuinely excited about Part Two now, which promises even more drama, conflict and epic battles (as many of us already know)
Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram is excellent. He brings sincerity and conviction to the character and does complete justice to the role. Those who had doubts about his casting should definitely watch his performance. Sai Pallavi is exceptional as Maa Sita. There is a certain grace and divinity in her presence that makes her stand out. Yash as Ravana is terrific. His screen presence is commanding and he brings tremendous intensity to the character. Rakul Preet as Shurpanakha is a welcome addition and delivers a good supporting performance. Overall, the cast does justice to the characters they portray.
I wasn’t really impressed with the songs, but the background score is outstanding. Especially during the emotional and action sequences, the music elevates the cinematic experience considerably. A.R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer have done a phenomenal job. On the flip side, some action sequences may seem lengthy but they don not at all mar the experience.
Full marks to Nitesh Tiwari and Namit Malhotra for backing a project of this scale and ambition. Their conviction in the subject, the vision to bring together an international team and the sheer effort invested in realising this world deserve appreciation. Their belief in the project has clearly translated onto the screen.
On the whole, RAMAYANA PART ONE is grand, emotional, engaging and visually spectacular. More importantly, it is a film that makes you feel proud of the scale of Indian cinema. A promising beginning to an epic that deserves to be experienced on the biggest screen possible.
DON’T MISS IT IN CINEMAS!
#RamayanaReview
— Aavishkar (@aavishhkar) November 4, 2026
Ramayana Review: Spectacle Overshadows the Story
The biggest attraction of Nitesh Tiwari's ‘Ramayana’ is undoubtedly its visual scale. The film creates an elaborate mythological world filled with grand locations, enormous armies, supernatural creatures and spectacular battle sequences. Several scenes are designed to leave a strong impression on the big screen. The use of computer-generated imagery, detailed production design and large-scale action gives the adaptation an international cinematic appearance.
However, the visual extravagance frequently overshadows the emotional and philosophical depth of the original epic. The film moves through important events with considerable speed, leaving limited room for the characters to develop meaningful relationships or reveal their inner conflicts. The result is a collection of impressive sequences that do not always connect into a consistently engaging narrative.
Also read: Kaali Kheti Teaser Reveals a Village Haunted by Dark Forces
Ranbir Kapoor and Yash's Performances
Ranbir Kapoor plays Lord Rama with restraint and sincerity. He avoids relying entirely on his established star persona and attempts to present the character with dignity and controlled intensity. His action sequences are convincing, and he makes a genuine effort to capture Rama's composed personality. However, the performance does not consistently communicate the spiritual presence and emotional depth associated with the character.
Yash takes a dramatically different approach as Ravana. His portrayal is larger, more aggressive and physically imposing. The actor embraces the character's destructive power and commanding personality, making several of his appearances particularly memorable. The contrast between Ranbir's restraint and Yash's intensity gives their characters different screen identities. However, the screenplay does not always explore the philosophical conflict between the two figures in sufficient detail.
#RAMAYANA: A VISUAL SPECTACLE THAT FAILS TO EVOKE BHAKTI & BHAAVNA..
Rating- ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana rides on two pillars – grand visual effects and drama and emotions.
First and foremost, I would like to applaud the producers for attempting a film of this scale. Investing such a massive amount of money in a project like this, despite knowing the limitations of the Indian theatrical market, is truly a courageous decision.
Visually the film is stunning. I wouldn’t compare it with Avatar or The Lord of the Rings, as they belong to an entirely different league. However, it would not be wrong to say that Ramayana features some of the finest visuals ever witnessed in Indian cinema.
Having said that, while the visuals are spectacular, the execution of the action sequences lacks the clap worthy high moments and impact we experience in SS Rajamouli’s films. You certainly witness grandeur on screen, but most of these sequences are something you simply keep watching rather than experiencing. They lack the elevation that gives you goosebumps or makes audiences erupt into applause and whistles inside cinemas.
The opening sequence featuring the battle between Indra and the Asuras, Ravana’s entry and the Jatayu sequence towards the climax are impressive, but none of them are truly extraordinary. Several creatures and monsters (Asuras) also look rather cartoonish.
Now comes the film’s weakest link – drama and emotions. We are all familiar with the story of the Ramayana, which makes its execution the most crucial aspect of the film. Unfortunately, this is where the film falters. Apart from the Vanvaas sequence, there is hardly a moment that genuinely touches your heart or brings tears to your eyes, even Sita haran sequence is completely flat.
The film seriously lacks the devotional connect and spiritual essence that one associates with the Ramayana. The sense of bhakti, devotion and divinity that audiences experienced in films like Hanuman Ansh, Mahavatar Narasimha and Kantara is largely missing here.
For the most part, the screenplay feels boring and unnecessarily stretched.
The performances are fairly decent, but #Yash is the one who carries the film on his shoulders. Every time he appears on screen, the film gets a significant boost. You genuinely feel that Yash was born to play Ravana. Such is the impact he creates in the role!
#RanbirKapoor is very good as Shri Ram. He brings the calmness, composure and grace required to portray this iconic character. However his portrayal of Lord Parshuram is a different story altogether, with his dialogue delivery appearing rather absurd in those portions.
#SaiPallavi as Maa Sita is a complete miscast. I find it difficult to imagine audiences accepting her in this particular role.
Ravi Dubey does a good job as Lakshman. Arun Govil and the other supporting actors also perform their parts well.
The music and background score are another major letdown. Hans Zimmer’s signature musical touch is hardly noticeable throughout the film, barring the Dharti Hai Ambar Hai background score.
AR Rahman’s songs are disappointing. Not a single track stands out as a memorable chartbuster that audiences would want to revisit.
Overall, Ramayana is an above-average cinematic experience. If you walk into the cinema with normal expectations, you are unlikely to be hugely disappointed. However considering the scale, ambition and expectations attached to this project, the film certainly falls short of its potential.
And yes, the brief glimpse of Lord Hanuman is arguably the biggest highlight of the film!
I genuinely hope Ramayana succeeds at the box office because, honestly, I don’t see another filmmaker attempting to bring the epic to the big screen on this kind of scale anytime soon. At the box office i don’t think it will beat #Dhurandhar2 India & Global lifetime collection.
#RamayanaReview
— Sumit Kadel (@SumitkadeI) November 5, 2026
Sai Pallavi, Ravie Dubey and Supporting Cast
Sai Pallavi brings grace and emotional sincerity to Sita. Her performance focuses on the character's dignity and strength, although the screenplay offers limited opportunities to explore her personality beyond the central narrative. Ravie Dubey makes a convincing impression as Lakshmana, capturing the character's loyalty and protective nature. His presence adds emotional support to Rama's journey.
Vivek Oberoi appears as Vidyutjihva, while Anupam Kher lends his voice to Jatayu. Their contributions become important during some of the film's more dramatic sequences. The supporting cast also includes Arun Govil as Dasharatha, Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi, Sheeba Chaddha as Manthara and Kunal Kapoor as Indra. Several performers make an impression, but the large ensemble does not always receive enough character development.
Story and Screenplay
The screenplay by Nitesh Tiwari and Shridhar Raghavan attempts to present a familiar epic to contemporary audiences while maintaining its central conflict between righteousness and evil. The narrative covers important developments in Rama's journey and Ravana's rise.
However, the storytelling often prioritises individual dramatic moments over a smooth progression of events. Several sequences feel self-contained, as though they are designed primarily to showcase the film's scale rather than contribute to a cohesive emotional journey.
The dialogue and explanations also tend to make the story straightforward, leaving little room for the philosophical layers and human complexities that make the epic enduring. A stronger focus on character motivations, relationships and moral dilemmas could have made the adaptation more impactful.
#Ramayana REVIEW: The film is a larger-than-life cinematic experience that reminds you why some stories deserve to be told on the biggest screen possible. The scale and ambition are definitely impressive and there are moments where the film genuinely pulls you into its world. Ranbir brings a certain sincerity to Rama, Sai Pallavi is lovely as Sita and Yash has a strong commanding screen presence. The writing and pacing could have been much tighter but still every emotional beat lands as intended. The Jatayu sequence is hands down the biggest high of the film – absolutely phenomenal and paisa vasool just for that one stretch. A film with its flaws, but also some genuinely memorable big-screen moments not to be missed in theatres.
— Lets Cinema (@letscinema) November 4, 2026
Visual Effects, Action and Cinematic Scale
The visual effects are among the film's biggest achievements. From the elaborate environments to the supernatural elements, the production creates a world that looks considerably larger than a conventional mythological drama. The battle sequences feature impressive choreography, elaborate creature designs and extensive digital effects. Flying elephants, unusual chariots and fantastical elements add to the film's grand presentation.
The aerial confrontation involving Ravana and Jatayu is particularly striking, combining visual spectacle with an important emotional moment. However, the constant use of large-scale effects eventually becomes overwhelming. When nearly every sequence aims to deliver a visual highlight, the individual moments begin losing their impact.
Music, Cinematography and Technical Aspects
The collaboration between A. R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer gives the film an ambitious musical identity. Their combined score attempts to bring together Indian musical influences and international orchestral arrangements. The background score supports the film's scale, although it does not always provide the emotional or devotional depth expected from a story of this significance.
Pankaj Kumar and Mahesh Limaye's cinematography captures the elaborate sets and expansive landscapes with impressive detail. The production design and visual effects further strengthen the film's technical presentation. The editing, however, could have created better narrative continuity between the major sequences. The film's lengthy runtime also makes certain portions feel more exhausting than immersive.
What Are the Weak Points?
- Underdeveloped characters
- Spectacle-driven storytelling
- Limited emotional depth
- Inconsistent narrative flow
Is Ramayana Worth Watching?
Watch it if you:
- Enjoy large-scale mythological films.
- Want to experience the Ramayana on a grand cinematic canvas.
- Appreciate Ranbir Kapoor and Yash's performances.
- Prefer elaborate visual effects and action sequences.
Skip it if you:
- Expect deep philosophical storytelling.
- Prefer emotionally layered character development.
- Want a consistently engaging narrative.
- Dislike lengthy films dominated by visual spectacle.
#Ramayana – ⭐️⭐️⭐️½
The most loved Indian epic receives a solid visual upgrade, with noticeable innovation in the action sequences and world-building. The makers clearly understood the challenge: they couldn’t over-improvise the dramatic portions, yet they also couldn’t skip them. As a result, the film feels predictable whenever it shifts into drama mode, especially in scenes that heavily emphasise virtues and family values. That said, the film works largely because of its casting and performances.
@TheNameIsYash is outstanding, delivering a menacing screen presence that truly dominates. @niteshtiwari22 has written the role brilliantly, focusing on Ravana’s willpower, multi-faceted personality, and stubbornness. The scene in which Ravana’s ten voices speak stands out as a highlight.
#RanbirKapoor fits the role perfectly. His calm and composed demeanour works in the film’s favour, and he receives the right heroic elevation at the right moments. @Sai_Pallavi92 delivers a strong emotional performance as Sita while also showcasing her valour. @Rakulpreet is effective as Surpanakha as well.
The VFX shines particularly in the Jatayu sequence during the pre-climax. Rama’s encounter with the sea of rakshasas also gives him the strongest elevation in the entire film, and the war sequences have been impressively reimagined.
On the downside, the background score by A.R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer doesn’t fully work in a few places (though the songs are good). Overall, this most beloved story deserves the upgrade. It successfully introduces the epic of Rama, Sita, and Ravana to a new generation. 👍
— Rajasekar (@sekartweets) November 4, 2026
Final Verdict
‘Ramayana: Part One’ is an ambitious cinematic adaptation that succeeds in creating a visually impressive world but does not consistently match its scale with equally powerful storytelling. Nitesh Tiwari's direction demonstrates considerable technical ambition, and the visual effects, elaborate sets and action sequences provide several memorable moments.
Ranbir Kapoor delivers a sincere performance as Rama, while Yash brings considerable intensity to Ravana. Sai Pallavi and Ravie Dubey also contribute to the film's central emotional world. However, the characters often feel less developed than the spectacle surrounding them.
The biggest disappointment is the limited emotional and philosophical depth. The original epic offers complex relationships, moral questions and profound human experiences, but the film frequently moves past these elements to focus on visual grandeur.
Despite its shortcomings, ‘Ramayana: Part One’ offers an impressive theatrical experience and establishes the foundation for the next chapter. It is worth watching for its scale and technical presentation, but viewers expecting a deeply moving retelling may find it lacking.
Rating: 3/5
Also read: Ramayana Starcast: Ranbir Kapoor, Yash and Full Cast