I learned the Ramayana the old-fashioned way. Not from a book, but from my grandmother’s lap, and from the Sunday morning serial on television, when the whole street seemed to go quiet at the same hour. Even now, when I hear the word “Ramayana,” I don’t think of a story. I think of a smell: agarbatti and hot tea. I think of the way my grandfather used to fold his hands when Rama appeared on screen, even though he knew it was an actor. That’s why a new Ramayana film makes me nervous. Everyone has their own version in their heart, and no film can fit all of them.
Ramayana: Part 1 is in theatres now, and I’ve been reading everything I can about it. Here’s what I’ve gathered about the film, the people behind it, what critics are saying, and what I want to look for when I watch it.
The Ramayana release, in short
The film was released worldwide on 5 November 2026. It had premiered earlier in Los Angeles, on 27 October. It was originally expected to reach India on Diwali, 8 November, but the release date was brought forward, and in the end the film opened a day ahead of the date Sony had announced in September.
It’s directed by Nitesh Tiwari, who co-wrote the screenplay with Shridhar Raghavan, and it’s produced by Namit Malhotra and Yash. The film is based on Valmiki’s epic and is planned as a two-part story, with the second part expected on Diwali 2027. It’s being released in six languages (Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and English), and it’s also being shown in IMAX.
The scale of the project has been in the headlines for a long time. Reports mention a budget of around ₹4,000 crore for the two parts together, which would make it one of the most ambitious productions in Indian cinema.
The Ramayana cast
Here’s who plays whom, according to reports.
- Ranbir Kapoor plays Lord Rama. He has also confirmed that he plays a second role, Parshurama, in the film. He has said he spent a year preparing for the roles before shooting began.
- Sai Pallavi plays Sita.
- Yash plays Ravana, and he’s also a co-producer.
- Ravie Dubey plays Lakshman.
- Sunny Deol plays Hanuman. Reports before release suggested his role in this part would be limited, and the full role would come in Part 2, so I’d go in without high expectations of screen time.
- The cast also includes Rakul Preet Singh, Lara Dutta, and Indira Krishna.
I like that the casting mixes industries and styles. It feels like a film trying to belong to the whole country, not just one region.
What the Ramayana story covers
If you know the Ramayana, you already know the broad strokes. A prince who keeps his father’s word and goes into exile, a devoted wife and brother who follow him, a demon king who abducts Sita, and a long journey to bring her home.
According to one review, this first part begins with Ravana’s story and ends with the kidnapping of Sita. That makes sense for a two-part structure. It also means the great war and the return to Ayodhya are saved for Part 2, so don’t expect the full epic in one sitting.
I’m deliberately not going into scene-level details, because I want to keep the surprise for anyone who hasn’t seen it yet, and because I’d rather rely on what I actually see on screen than on second-hand descriptions.
What critics are saying on Ramayana
Reviews have been mixed, with real praise and real complaints. Here’s the picture from what I’ve read.
The praise. DNA’s Simran Singh gave the film 4.5 out of 5 and called Tiwari’s direction first-rate, saying Ranbir Kapoor outdid himself again. Another review, from Great Andhra, gave it 3 out of 5, and said that Yash steals the show, delivering a terrific performance as Ravana in several different looks across phases of the character’s life. It also praised the visual effects, the production design, and Ranbir’s dignified portrayal of Rama as the “Maryada Purushottama,” while still showing him as a formidable warrior when the story demands. Overall, that reviewer called the film visually spectacular, with episodes rarely shown on this scale before.
The criticism. IndieWire’s Christian Zilko gave it a B, and wrote that the film won’t bore you, even if you sometimes wish for quieter character development. The same review observed that the screenplay faithfully condenses the epic, and finds some personality in places, but that Rama and Sita can come across as somewhat uncomplicated, even one-note. Another report noted that critics pointed out a lengthy runtime.
One entertainment site summed it up as an epic that opened worldwide to mixed reviews, with praise for the leads and for Yash as Ravana.
So I’d put it like this: the spectacle and the performances at the top of the cast seem to be the strengths, while pacing and emotional depth are the common worries. I’ll keep both in mind when I watch, and I’ll try to see whether I agree.
Why Yash’s Ravana is getting so much attention
One of the biggest talking points after release is Yash’s portrayal of Ravana. Several reviews single out his performance, and the way the film seems to explore the demon king across different phases of his life.
This interests me for a reason. In many adaptations, Ravana is a loud villain and nothing more. In the original epic, he’s a learned, powerful, and complicated figure, which makes the story richer. If the film gives him real depth, it could be one of its most memorable choices.
Whether you like the portrayal or not, I think it’s worth watching how the film treats him, because that tells you a lot about the story the makers want to tell.
Box office: what I know and don’t know
I don’t want to quote numbers I can’t back up. Before release, trackers reported strong advance booking, including about ₹19.81 crore for day 1 in India with 4.05 lakh tickets sold across 9,264 shows, as of a report on 31 October, and one report said the film crossed $2 million in worldwide advance bookings. Trade forecasts for the opening varied widely, so I wouldn’t treat them as facts.
I haven’t found confirmed day-1 collection figures yet. Final numbers will appear on trade tracking sites over the next few days, so I’d check those instead of relying on social media claims.
My own expectations (and the honest part)
I’ll be honest about what I’m bringing into the theatre. I want to see a film that respects the story, and I don’t need it to be perfect. I’ve seen adaptations that tried too hard to look modern and lost the warmth. I’ve also seen very reverent adaptations that felt like museum pieces. What I hope for is something in between, with emotion at its centre and spectacle in support.
Three things I’ll watch for:
- Whether Rama and Sita feel like real people. The review that called them one-note made me curious. The Ramayana’s power comes from their choices and their pain, so I’d like to feel that.
- How the film handles Ravana. Because of all the praise, I want to see whether he’s written with depth, not just presence.
- Whether the pace holds. A long runtime can be fine if the story earns it, and I’ll note when I start checking my watch.
[Your turn: my verdict]
(Fill this part in after you’ve watched the film. This is the heart of an original review, so write it in your own words.)
- What I felt in the first half hour: [your reaction]
- A scene or moment that stayed with me: [your own example, with a short, spoiler-free description]
- Ranbir Kapoor as Rama: [your honest opinion]
- Sai Pallavi as Sita: [your honest opinion]
- Yash as Ravana: [your honest opinion]
- The visuals and music: [what worked or didn’t for you]
- The pace and the runtime: [did it drag or fly?]
- My rating: [your own number, and why]
A tip from experience: write your impressions on your phone as soon as you leave the theatre, before the opinions of others seep in. Your first reaction is usually the most honest and the most original one.
Who should watch it
Based on what I’ve read, I’d say this film may suit you if you love big-screen spectacle and want to see the epic at a grand scale, if you’re curious about how new technology and large production design can bring mythology to life, or if you’re a fan of the cast and want to see them in these roles.
You may want to temper your expectations if you’re looking for a slow, quiet, character-driven drama, or if you want the full epic in one film. Remember that this is Part 1, and the story continues next Diwali.
If you plan to take children or elderly family members, check the film’s certification and runtime first, and think about how they’ll feel after a long sitting. Bring water, and choose a showtime that doesn’t leave anyone exhausted.
Tips for watching
- Pick the right format. The film is being shown in IMAX, and reviewers have praised its visual scale, so a large screen may add to the experience. It isn’t a must, so choose what fits your budget.
- Choose your language. With six languages available, pick the one that you’ll enjoy most.
- Avoid spoilers if you can. Many reactions on social media mix opinions and plot details, so mute keywords until you’ve seen it.
- Go with your own expectations. Everyone has a personal Ramayana in mind, and the film can’t match all of them. Try to watch it as its own telling, and then compare.
- Respect the theatre. Many families treat this story as sacred, so keep phones silent and be kind to people around you.
A word on comparing with other adaptations
Many of us have seen earlier versions, including the television serial and other films, and each left a mark. It’s natural to compare, but I try not to. Every generation retells this story in its own language and with its own tools. The question I ask isn’t “Is this better than the one I grew up with?” but “Does it make me feel something true about the story?”
My Final thoughts
The Ramayana has survived thousands of years because it can be told in so many ways, through songs, plays, paintings, and now, enormous screens with state-of-the-art visuals. A new film doesn’t replace the others. It joins the long line of tellers.
From everything I’ve read, this one seems to be a visually grand, star-driven first part, with praise for its performances and scale, and concerns about runtime and emotional depth. I’ll make up my own mind in the theatre, and I hope you will too.
If you’ve already watched it, I’d love to know which moment stayed with you. And if you haven’t yet, go with an open heart, a charged phone you’ll keep in your pocket, and maybe a little of whatever your own grandmother taught you about this story.
Jai Siya Ram.
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