When a film is mounted on the scale of Ramayana, expectations go far beyond stunning visuals, grand sets and larger-than-life characters. The music needs to become part of the experience, something that stays with audiences long after they leave the theatre. And with A.R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer joining forces for Nitesh Tiwari’s magnum opus, expectations were naturally sky-high.
However, the music released so far has sparked a debate on the internet. While some listeners have appreciated the themes and orchestral arrangements, others are disappointed with the songs, arguing that the album has not delivered the kind of instant emotional connection they expected from a cinematic retelling of the epic.
The criticism is not necessarily about whether the music sounds grand. For many listeners, the bigger question is whether the songs have the melody, lyrics and emotional depth to stay with them for years. After all, Ramayana is a story that generations of Indians have grown up hearing. Its characters, verses and musical interpretations already hold a special place in people’s hearts.
That makes the expectations around its soundtrack different from those surrounding an ordinary film album. And now, the internet is divided over whether the music lives up to that legacy.
Ramayana Songs: Why Are Listeners Disappointed?
One of the biggest expectations surrounding the Ramayana soundtrack was the possibility of getting songs that audiences would instantly connect with. The combination of A.R. Rahman, Hans Zimmer and a story as emotionally powerful as the Ramayana seemed to promise something truly memorable.
But some listeners feel the songs released so far have not quite hit that mark.
Film critic and trade analyst @aavishhkar expressed disappointment with the music, pointing out that while the trailers and theme music impressed him, the songs did not click. He also acknowledged that his reaction was a personal opinion and clarified that it had not affected his excitement for the film.
The reaction highlights an important distinction. People can be excited about Ramayana as a cinematic spectacle while remaining unconvinced by its music. The film’s scale and the names attached to the project have created enormous expectations, and some listeners believe the songs have yet to meet them.
Another criticism centres on longevity. A listener might enjoy a song when it first releases, but an epic soundtrack carries a different kind of expectation. Fans want melodies they can return to months or even years later, not music that loses its impact after the initial promotional buzz fades.
That is where the debate gets interesting. Is the Ramayana album simply taking a different musical approach, or are the songs genuinely missing the emotional hook that audiences expected?
‘Not a Single Song Will Be Remembered’: Internet Reacts
Several social media users have voiced their disappointment, with some questioning the musical direction and others arguing that the project needed stronger melodies and lyrics.
One user, @rebel_notout, wrote: “Not a single song from #Ramayana will be remembered after 1 or 2 months.”
The user argued that the team had an opportunity to create music that connected with audiences who were already emotionally invested in the story.
Another user, @Tushar15, questioned the choice of composer, suggesting that Shankar Mahadevan should have led the musical side of the project instead of A.R. Rahman.
Meanwhile, @KbvAkshayRus16 compared Hans Zimmer’s work on Ramayana with his music for The Lion King, arguing that the new material did not come close to the impact of the earlier soundtrack.
The criticism became even sharper in a post by @NishantADHolic_, who described the music released so far as disappointing and singled out the Rama Theme as the one track that stood out.
These reactions reflect a section of the online audience, rather than a unanimous verdict on the soundtrack. Still, the recurring criticism is worth noting: listeners want the music to offer something memorable beyond the scale of the production and the reputation of its composers.
Ramayana Music Album: What Has Been Released So Far?
The official Ramayana: Part 1 music album features five tracks, combining songs with instrumental themes. The lineup brings together A.R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer, with Kumar Vishwas writing the lyrics for the songs.
Here’s a look at the tracks featured on the album:
- Jai Jai Ram: Composed by A.R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer, the song features vocals by Arijit Singh, Shreya Ghoshal and A.R. Rahman, with lyrics by Kumar Vishwas.
- Ravana Tandav: Composed by A.R. Rahman and sung by Vishal Dadlani, with lyrics by Kumar Vishwas.
- Sita’s Aspiration: Composed by A.R. Rahman, featuring A.R. Ameen, Vaishali Samant and Rakshita Suresh, with lyrics by Kumar Vishwas.
- Jai Jai Ram (Orchestral): An instrumental version composed by Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman.
- Rama Theme: Another instrumental composition by Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman.
Additional promotional tracks, including Mangal Rang and Main Ram, have also been released as part of the film’s wider promotional campaign.
The album brings together an impressive combination of musical talent. Yet, as the online debate shows, a celebrated composer lineup does not automatically guarantee that every song will connect with listeners in the way they expect.
The Other Side of the Debate: Can Ramayana Music Grow on Listeners?
While the criticism has been vocal, it is also worth considering whether the soundtrack is being judged too early.
Not every memorable film score makes an immediate impact. Some songs click on the first listen, with a melody or lyrical hook that stays in the mind almost instantly. Others take time. Listeners may discover new layers after repeated plays, while certain instrumental themes can become more powerful when experienced alongside the visuals and the emotional context of a scene.
That distinction matters for a film like Ramayana. Its music has to serve several purposes, from establishing the scale of its mythological world to expressing the emotions of its characters. An instrumental theme designed to accompany a dramatic sequence may work differently from a song intended to become a standalone favourite.
There is also a difference between music that sounds impressive and music that feels personal. A grand orchestral arrangement can create scale, but audiences may still look for a melody or lyrical line that makes them feel connected to the story.
The question is whether the music will achieve that connection for more listeners over time. The released tracks may not have convinced everyone yet, but the film itself could influence how audiences experience them.
Ramayana Songs: Are Expectations Simply Too High?
There is another factor behind the debate: the legacy of the Ramayana itself.
This is not an unfamiliar fictional universe that audiences are discovering for the first time. The story has been retold across generations through television, cinema, theatre, devotional music and regional traditions. Many viewers already have a personal understanding of its characters and emotions, along with their own expectations of how the story should sound and feel.
That creates a difficult challenge for any new adaptation. The music needs to bring something fresh to the table without losing the emotional familiarity that makes the epic so enduring.
The involvement of A.R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer only raises the stakes. Their names have encouraged listeners to expect a soundtrack that feels as monumental as the film itself. When the music does not immediately meet those expectations, disappointment can become part of the larger conversation.
At the same time, it would be premature to declare the soundtrack a failure based solely on early reactions. The audience response remains divided, and the film’s eventual presentation may change how some listeners perceive the compositions.
Final Take: Ramayana Music Has a Lot to Prove
The debate surrounding the Ramayana songs is about more than whether individual tracks are good or bad. It is about the kind of musical legacy audiences expect from a project of this scale.
Some listeners are disappointed that the songs have not delivered an instant emotional connection. Others may need more time with the compositions, while the instrumental themes could take on a different meaning when paired with the film’s visuals.
Also read: Ramayana OTT Release
One thing is clear: the expectations are enormous. Audiences want more than a soundtrack backed by celebrated names. They want melodies, lyrics and themes that become inseparable from the story itself, music that remains relevant long after the film’s release.
Will the Ramayana soundtrack grow on listeners and become a lasting part of the epic’s legacy, or will the songs struggle to match the scale of the film? For now, the internet remains divided, and the conversation is far from over.
