Ramayana (2026) Review!!

Synopsis – An ancient epic follows a young prince and princess whose marriage and subsequent exile mark the beginning of a legendary journey. Their story of love, duty and destiny sets the stage for greater challenges ahead.

My Take – Few Indian films have arrived with the burden of expectation that this latest Nitesh Tiwari (Dangal, Chhichhore) directorial carries into theatres this week. After all, the Ramayana is one of India’s two great Sanskrit epics. Beyond its timeless conflict between good and evil, it has shaped generations of storytelling, transcending religious boundaries to leave its imprint on literature, theatre, dance, television, cinema, and everyday culture. Its journey on screen, however, has been a mixed one.

While DD National‘s iconic television adaptation from 1987-88 remains cherished to this day, Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama (1993) is still regarded as one of the finest cinematic interpretations, marrying stunning animation with sincerity and deep reverence for the source material. At the opposite end of the spectrum was Adipurush (2023), a deeply disappointing adaptation whose weak visual effects, questionable creative choices, and clumsy dialogue squandered the potential of a story so rich in cultural significance. An epic of this stature deserved far greater care and imagination.

That brings us to this colossal ₹4,000-crore project from Prime Focus Studios and Monster Mind Creations, reportedly budgeted at around $250 million per installment. With DNEG overseeing the visual effects, Sony Pictures handling international distribution, and a global IMAX rollout in place, no Indian film has ever been positioned on the world stage quite like this one. The stakes could hardly be higher.

To the film’s credit, it delivers the grandeur it promises. Mounted on a breathtaking scale, it creates a larger-than-life cinematic spectacle powered by impressive visual effects and lavish production design. Nearly every frame feels crafted to overwhelm the senses, drawing audiences into a richly realized world. Yet for all its visual splendor, the film struggles where it matters most. The iconic characters at the heart of the story often feel surprisingly distant, lacking the emotional depth needed to make their journeys truly compelling. There is no denying the film’s strengths.

The visuals, scale, and technical craftsmanship are world-class by Indian standards, while Yash emerges as one of the film’s biggest assets with a commanding performance. Unfortunately, the emphasis on spectacle frequently comes at the expense of storytelling. The result is a film that dazzles moment to moment but rarely achieves the emotional or dramatic power its source material demands. It is an uneven yet admirable effort, one that works in parts rather than as a consistently engrossing whole. Even so, the film remains engaging throughout.

Despite its hefty 195-minute runtime (208 minutes overseas), it never feels exhausting or tests the audience’s patience. The screenplay, however, is merely serviceable. Given that the latter half of the story has always contained the saga’s most thrilling and dramatic developments, including the arrival of one of its most beloved characters and its increasingly conflict-driven narrative, there is reason to be optimistic about Part Two. For now, the story is best experienced in IMAX, where its scale and spectacle can be fully appreciated. Just temper your expectations when it comes to the storytelling.

The story begins with Ravana (Yash), the mighty ruler of Lanka, whose insatiable ambition to conquer the three worlds drives him to undertake years of intense penance. Impressed by his unwavering devotion, Lord Brahma grants him a boon that makes him nearly invincible. Empowered by this blessing, Ravana challenges the gods themselves, defeats Lord Indra (Kunal Kapoor), and establishes his supremacy over Lanka. But as his power grows, so too does his arrogance, threatening the very balance of the universe.

To restore order, Lord Vishnu descends to earth in human form as Rama (Ranbir Kapoor), the eldest son of King Dasharatha (Arun Govil) of Ayodhya. Raised with an unwavering commitment to righteousness, compassion, and duty, Rama earns the hand of Sita (Sai Pallavi), the princess of Mithila, after accomplishing the formidable task of stringing Lord Shiva’s divine bow. However, just as Rama prepares to assume the throne of Ayodhya, palace intrigue alters his destiny.

Influenced by her maid Manthara (Sheeba Chaddha), Queen Kaikeyi (Lara Dutta) invokes two boons previously promised to her by Dasharatha. She demands that her son Bharata (Adinath Kothare) be crowned king and that Rama be exiled to the forest for fourteen years. Bound by his father’s word and his own devotion to dharma, Rama accepts the decree without hesitation. Refusing to be separated from her husband, Sita chooses to accompany him into exile.

Rama’s loyal younger brother Lakshmana (Ravie Dubey) also joins them, forsaking royal comforts for a life of hardship in the wilderness. As the trio journeys through the forests, they encounter sages, demons, and forces beyond mortal understanding. Their peaceful exile is ultimately shattered by an encounter with Shurpanakha (Rakul Preet Singh), Ravana’s sister. What begins as a personal affront soon spirals into a conflict of epic proportions, setting the stage for a battle that will determine the fate of kingdoms, gods, and the world itself.

Let’s start with the film’s biggest strength: its visuals. The film is a stunning spectacle, featuring some of the finest VFX seen in an Indian production. The scale, production design, and world-building are consistently impressive, making it a film that deserves to be experienced on the biggest screen possible. The standout sequence is Jatayu’s confrontation with Ravana after Sita’s abduction. It’s easily the film’s most powerful stretch, blending scale, emotion, and visual brilliance to deliver genuine goosebumps.

The CGI work throughout is excellent, particularly in the rendering of animals, the Pushpaka Vimana, and the celestial battle sequences involving Indra, all of which boast an impressive level of polish. Not every effect lands equally well. The Rakshasas are a mixed bag, with Kumbhakarna’s full reveal exposing some weaker facial design and animation. Some action scenes also draw noticeable inspiration from modern superhero films. Still, unlike Adipurush, which took a more contemporary approach to its fantasy elements, Ramayana embraces a distinctly divine aesthetic that feels far more appropriate.

The music is another major win. A.R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer‘s collaboration brings grandeur and emotional weight to the narrative, elevating several key moments without overwhelming them. Their score becomes an integral part of the film’s storytelling and ranks among its most memorable achievements.

Designed with a global audience in mind, the film often simplifies its storytelling to ensure accessibility across cultures. While this broad approach sacrifices nuance, it allows the epic’s central themes and moral conflict to resonate universally.

Where the film falters is in the screenplay. Despite its runtime, many supporting characters remain underdeveloped, the pacing often drags, and the dialogue rarely rises above functional. Even Sita’s abduction, one of the epic’s most crucial moments, feels rushed and lacks the emotional weight it deserves. Thankfully, the climactic action sequence delivers the spectacle audiences have been waiting for and ends the film on a high.

Performance wise, Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi are effective, but the film belongs to Yash. Given the meatiest role, he delivers a commanding performance, effortlessly shifting between calm authority and ferocious intensity, with Sharad Kelkar‘s dubbing adding further gravitas. Ravie Dubey is excellent as Lakshmana and even outshines Ranbir in a few key moments, while Rakul Preet Singh brings energy and spark to Shurpanakha.

Among the supporting cast, Arun Govil, Lara Dutta, Shobana, Kajal Aggarwal, Sheeba Chaddha, Adinath Kothare, Harish Uthaman, Kunal Kapoor, and Vivek Oberoi are competent but limited by brief screen time. On the whole, ‘Ramayana: Part 1‘ is a grand, visually breathtaking spectacle whose stunning craftsmanship often compensates for its uneven storytelling.