The biggest cinematic gamble of the year is almost here. Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana is gearing up for a grand worldwide theatrical release on November 5, 2026, and expectations are sky-high. With Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash stepping into the role of Ravana, the mythological epic promises a spectacle unlike anything Indian cinema has attempted before.
The film has already started making noise internationally. A special screening was recently held at the David Geffen Theatre inside the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, and the first wave of reviews has begun arriving. While some critics are calling it a magnificent cinematic achievement, others feel the film falls short of its enormous ambition.
So, is Ramayana heading towards blockbuster territory, or could it turn out to be a disappointment? The early reactions are certainly divided.
Ramayana May Have a Special Screening at Rashtrapati Bhavan
Director Nitesh Tiwari and producer Namit Malhotra are leaving no stone unturned to give Ramayana a grand launch. Along with the Los Angeles screening, the makers are reportedly planning high-profile premiere events in India.
According to a report by Mid-Day, Ramayana Part 1, which arrives in cinemas on Thursday, November 5, may also have a special screening for political leaders in New Delhi on its release day. Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, Sai Pallavi and Nitesh Tiwari are expected to attend the proposed event.
There are also reports of two separate premiere events being planned, one in Mumbai and another in Delhi. The Mumbai premiere is reportedly being considered at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC), while the Delhi event could take place at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
However, the plans are yet to be officially confirmed by the makers.
Ramayana First Review: Taran Adarsh Gives the Film a Full 5 Stars
The first major reaction has certainly raised expectations. Renowned film critic Taran Adarsh has given Ramayana a full five-star rating, calling it a truly stunning cinematic experience.
Taking to X, he praised almost every major aspect of the film, from its visuals and production design to the performances, music and emotional moments. According to him, Nitesh Tiwari has delivered a spectacle that respects the essence of the timeless epic while celebrating Indian culture.
Taran also highlighted several sequences that stood out for him, including Ravana’s introduction, the forest battle between Lord Rama and the rakshasas, Sita Swayamvar, the emotional portions involving Dashrath, Kaikeyi and Rama, the Shurpanakha episode and the battle between Ravana and Jatayu.
The critic had special praise for the leading cast. He described Ranbir Kapoor’s portrayal of Rama as graceful and dignified, while appreciating Sai Pallavi for bringing warmth and strength to Sita. Yash, meanwhile, received praise for his commanding screen presence and intensity as Ravana.
Ravie Dubey, Rakul Preet Singh, Sunny Deol, Arun Govil, Shobhana, Lara Dutta and Vivek Oberoi also received positive mentions.
The technical departments were another major highlight in his review. Taran praised DNEG’s visual effects, the production design and the action sequences. He also appreciated the musical contribution of A. R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer, saying their background score adds to the film’s scale and emotional impact.
His final verdict was equally enthusiastic. Calling Ramayana an experience rather than just a film, he urged audiences to watch it on the biggest screen possible.
But Venky Reviews Has a Different Take on Ramayana
Not everyone has walked away equally impressed. Venky Reviews has offered a much more mixed assessment, giving the film 2.5 out of 5 stars.
The review acknowledges that Ramayana opens strongly, particularly with Ravana’s introduction. The first half is described as a decent watch, although the narration reportedly loses momentum at certain points.
One of the major complaints is the storytelling. According to the review, the film moves from one major event to another without giving enough time to develop its characters. This makes some portions feel flat and almost serial-like.
The second half comes in for stronger criticism. The prolonged action sequences reportedly become tiring, while the ending of Part 1 may leave viewers wanting more. The review also points out that several major moments have been reserved for the sequel, which is still some distance away.
Interestingly, Yash emerges as the biggest highlight for Venky Reviews. His portrayal of Ravana is described as terrific, with Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi delivering sincere performances as Rama and Sita. However, the review feels that the divine and emotional connection expected from these characters does not come through consistently.
The music is another area of concern. Despite having A. R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer on board, the background score is described as a disappointment, with the reviewer feeling that it sounds more like a generic superhero film than a score rooted in the spiritual world of Ramayana.
The final verdict? A watchable epic with impressive technical work, but one that doesn’t fully deliver on its enormous potential.
Ramayana Reviews: What Are International Critics Saying?
The early reactions from other international publications are also a mixed bag. While some have praised the film’s scale and cinematic ambition, others have raised concerns about its storytelling and visual execution.
Here’s a look at the reactions shared so far:
- Screen Rant: Described Ramayana as an impressive cinematic achievement.
- Next Best Picture: Felt that the film is stuffed with too much material and could have benefited from a Game of Thrones-style television adaptation to explore its story and characters in greater detail. The review did, however, appreciate the soundtrack.
- IndieWire: Noted that calling Ramayana epic might sound like a cliché, but felt no other word could adequately describe it.
- IGN: Offered a much harsher assessment, criticising the action, CGI and overall execution.
IGN’s review, titled Ramayana: Rise of a Legend, described the film as a mechanical adaptation of a timeless epic, criticising it for feeling boring, lifeless and visually unappealing.
As of now, only four reviews have reportedly appeared on Rotten Tomatoes. That’s a very small sample, so it would be premature to draw any conclusions about the film’s overall critical reception.
Ramayana: Blockbuster or Disappointment?
At this stage, Ramayana is receiving two very different kinds of reactions. Taran Adarsh has given it a full five stars and considers it a spectacular achievement, while Venky Reviews has pointed out shortcomings in the storytelling, emotional depth and background score.
The international reactions are similarly divided. There is appreciation for the film’s scale and ambition, but questions remain about whether the spectacle is backed by equally strong storytelling.
Also read: Ramayana FIRST REVIEW
One thing worth remembering is that these are reactions from the film’s overseas premiere screenings. Indian audiences are yet to watch Ramayana, and their response will be crucial in determining how the film performs at home.
We are also waiting to watch the film ourselves. Once Ramayana releases in India, we will share our detailed review and final rating.
Until then, the big question remains: Will Ranbir Kapoor’s Ramayana turn into a historic blockbuster, or will its massive ambition prove to be its biggest challenge?
