The buzz around Ramayana is getting bigger as the ambitious mythological epic prepares for its theatrical release. Following its Los Angeles premiere, the first reactions to Nitesh Tiwari’s film are now coming in, and Ranbir Kapoor and Yash have already caught viewers’ attention. While one viewer called Ranbir’s performance ‘sublime’ and described Yash as ‘magnetic’, another review offered a more mixed take on the film’s storytelling, music, and visual effects.
The film premiered at the David Geffen Theatre inside the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles. Ranbir Kapoor, Yash and Sai Pallavi attended the special screening ahead of the film’s worldwide theatrical release on November 5.
With the first audience reactions now emerging on social media, here’s what viewers are saying about the much-anticipated epic.
Ramayana First Review: Ranbir Kapoor and Yash Receive Praise
Entertainment journalist known as Rama’s Screen shared his thoughts on Ramayana: Rise of a Legend after watching the film at its Los Angeles premiere. His reaction was overwhelmingly positive, with particular praise for the performances, music, action and overall scale.
He described the film as a spectacular cinematic experience, calling Ranbir Kapoor ‘sublime’ and Yash ‘magnetic’. He also praised the film’s visuals and dances, highlighting the sheer scale of the production.
According to his review, Ramayana is among the year’s most immersive cinematic experiences and delivers a grand spectacle on screen.
Ranbir plays Lord Rama, while Yash takes on the role of Ravana. Sai Pallavi appears as Goddess Sita.
Another film reviewer, Theresa Simoni, also shared a positive reaction, with Ranbir’s performance leaving a strong impression on her.
Praising the actor’s portrayal of Prince Rama, she said his performance moved her to tears. She also described the screening as an unforgettable experience and promised to share a full review on Friday.
Ramayana Overseas Review: Another Viewer Shares a Mixed Reaction
Not every early reaction has been entirely positive. Critics and movie reviwer Venky Reviews shared a more measured assessment of the film, acknowledging its ambition and production scale while pointing out areas where it falls short.
According to the viewer, the effort put into mounting Ramayana on such a grand scale is evident, and the
film largely stays faithful to the epic. However, the storytelling reportedly relies more on spectacle and action than emotional depth and dramatic moments.
The review also suggests that parts of the narration feel flat, with some sequences resembling a television serial. The second half reportedly loses momentum in places, with extended action sequences that do not always deliver the intended impact.
Yash’s portrayal of Ravana emerged as the biggest highlight of this reaction. The viewer particularly praised his introductory portions, describing his performance as superb.
Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi were also considered solid as Rama and Sita. However, the review felt that the characters’ divine presence and emotional depth do not always translate effectively on screen.
The visual effects received a similarly mixed response. While several sequences were described as stunning, some scenes reportedly have a noticeable studio or green-screen appearance. A few of the asura designs were also criticised for looking cartoonish.
The music was singled out as the biggest disappointment in this review. Given the spiritual significance and emotional weight of the Ramayana, the score was expected to play a major role in bringing the story to life. However, the combination of Indian and Hollywood musical styles reportedly does not work consistently, apart from a few scenes.
Despite these shortcomings, the viewer acknowledged the film’s ambition and scale, calling it watchable and better than some recent adaptations. The overall verdict, however, was mixed, with the feeling that the film could have achieved much more.
Nitesh Tiwari Clarifies AI Use in Ramayana
Ahead of the screening, director Nitesh Tiwari also addressed speculation surrounding the use of artificial intelligence in Ramayana, particularly claims about AI-generated dubbing.
The filmmaker clarified that AI has been used to help match the characters’ lip movements to different languages, allowing the film to reach audiences across the world. However, he stressed that the voices themselves have been dubbed by human artists.
According to Tiwari, the technology is being used to make the film more accessible to international audiences in their native languages, rather than replacing voice artists with AI-generated performances.
More About Ramayana
Apart from Ranbir Kapoor, Yash and Sai Pallavi, Ramayana features Ravie Dubey as Lord Lakshman and Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman. The film also stars Arun Govil, Indira Krishnan, Lara Dutta, Rakul Preet Singh, Vivek Oberoi, Kunal Kapoor, Sheeba Chadha and Faisal Malik, among others.
Mounted on a reported combined budget of Rs 4,000 crore for both instalments, the two-part epic is one of the most ambitious Indian film projects in recent years.
The first part of Ramayana is scheduled to release in theatres worldwide on November 5, 2026, while the second part is planned for Diwali 2027. The sequel is also expected to face a box office clash with Prabhas and Triptii Dimri’s Spirit.
With the first reactions ranging from strong praise for the lead performances to criticism of the music and storytelling, the film has already sparked conversation ahead of its theatrical debut. The wider audience response will reveal whether Ramayana lives up to the enormous expectations surrounding it.
