November 5, 2026: Some stories are too deeply embedded in our collective memory to be retold without inviting comparisons. The Ramayana is one such story. With countless interpretations across generations, bringing it to the big screen on an unprecedented scale is a challenge that demands more than impressive visuals and star power. Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana Part One understands this responsibility and delivers a sweeping cinematic experience that is ambitious, emotionally engaging and, despite a few shortcomings, thoroughly rewarding.
Starring Ranbir Kapoor as Rama and Yash as Ravana, the film chooses an interesting route by giving considerable attention to the origins and rise of its antagonist. Rather than rushing towards the familiar confrontation between Rama and Ravana, the narrative builds the foundations of their eventual conflict.
The story begins with Dashanana’s growing influence across the realms. Ravana (Yash) defeats Indra (Kunal Kapoor), takes control of Lanka from Kuber and sets out to establish his supremacy. Concerned by his growing power, the gods turn to Lord Vishnu, who assumes human form as Rama, the firstborn of King Dasharatha.
Rama’s journey takes him from the palace to Mithila, where he marries Sita (Sai Pallavi), and eventually into exile with Sita and Lakshmana (Ravie). When Ravana abducts Sita, personal vengeance and a larger cosmic responsibility begin to converge. The first instalment lays the groundwork for the legendary battle that is yet to unfold.
The most interesting aspect of Ramayana Part One is its decision to look beyond the familiar milestones of the epic. The makers clearly understand that audiences do not need another rushed introduction to characters they have known since childhood. Instead, the film attempts to add context and emotional layers to their journeys.
Ravana’s backstory is one of the film’s most engaging elements. His ambition, his understanding of power and his desire to rule the realms offer a deeper look at the character. This makes him more than a conventional antagonist and gives the first instalment a distinctive narrative identity.
Rama’s personal journey also receives meaningful attention. His relationship with Kaikeyi, the circumstances surrounding his exile and his encounter with Parashurama bring additional dimensions to the character. The film also finds some of its most touching moments in the relationship between Rama and Sita, particularly during their time in the forest.
What works in the writing is the effort to make familiar episodes feel dramatically relevant. The screenplay by Nitesh Tiwari and Shridhar Raghavan has enough engaging moments to keep the audience invested. However, the ambition to explore so many characters and subplots occasionally affects the rhythm. Some portions could have been trimmed without compromising the storytelling.
Nitesh Tiwari takes on a subject that comes with enormous expectations and delivers a film that largely matches its ambition. His greatest strength is the ability to move between intimate emotional moments and large-scale cinematic sequences.
The world-building is impressive, with considerable attention given to the different kingdoms and celestial settings. The film makes a genuine effort to create a visual universe that feels expansive rather than merely decorative. The action sequences, particularly the larger confrontations, provide several moments designed for the theatrical experience.
Namit Malhotra’s production ambition is visible throughout. This is clearly a film conceived for the big screen, and its technical departments contribute significantly to that experience.
The visual effects, however, are not entirely consistent. While several sequences are striking, some digitally created creatures and large-scale shots lack the realism required to make the fantasy world completely convincing. In a film where visual immersion is so important, these moments stand out.
The music is another major asset. Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman’s background score lends the narrative an imposing atmosphere. Their work enhances the emotional intensity without making every scene feel unnecessarily loud. The soundscape is particularly effective during the film’s dramatic high points.
Casting is crucial when dealing with characters as iconic as Rama and Ravana, and the film gets much of this right.
Ranbir Kapoor approaches Rama with remarkable restraint. He avoids making the character unnecessarily dramatic and instead relies on expressions, composure and emotional sincerity. His performance is particularly effective when Rama faces difficult personal circumstances. The scenes involving his parents and the announcement of his exile reveal a softer, vulnerable side that makes the character relatable.
Yash brings an entirely different energy to Ravana. His commanding screen presence gives the character considerable weight, and the film benefits from the actor’s ability to balance arrogance, ambition and intensity. Ravana’s portions provide much of the narrative’s dramatic momentum, and Yash makes sure that the character remains compelling whenever he appears.
Sai Pallavi is a natural fit as Sita. She brings dignity, warmth and strength to the role, avoiding the temptation to portray the character as merely an idealised figure. Her interactions with Ranbir add emotional depth to the film.
Ravie makes a strong impression as Lakshmana, bringing both intensity and occasional humour. He shares a convincing dynamic with Ranbir and gets several moments to showcase his abilities.
Among the supporting cast, Rakul Preet Singh stands out as Surpanakha, while Vivek Oberoi makes an impression as Vidyutjihva. Arun Govil brings gravitas to Dasharatha, and Lara Dutta is effective as Kaikeyi. Adinath Kothare as Bharat and Saurabh Sachdeva as Maricha contribute meaningfully to the narrative.
Anupam Kher’s voice performance as Jatayu deserves special mention. His contribution adds a moving emotional layer to the film’s final moments.
For all its technical ambition, the film is not without its limitations. The biggest issue is the occasional dip in momentum. The first instalment takes its time establishing the mythology and characters, but some sequences feel longer than necessary.
The uneven visual effects are another concern. A few shots involving larger-than-life creatures look artificial, creating a noticeable contrast with the more polished sequences.
The narrative’s emphasis on Ravana may also divide audiences. Those expecting a predominantly Rama-centric story might find the balance unexpected. However, considering that this is the first chapter of a larger cinematic adaptation, the decision to establish Ravana’s world and motivations is understandable.
Ramayana Movie Review A promising beginning to a much larger saga
Ramayana Part One is not simply interested in recreating a familiar story. It wants to build an expansive cinematic universe around characters and events that have shaped Indian storytelling for centuries. That ambition is evident in its writing, performances, production design and music.
The film’s occasional pacing issues and inconsistent VFX prevent it from becoming an entirely flawless experience, but its strengths comfortably outweigh these shortcomings. Ranbir brings emotional credibility to Rama, Yash makes Ravana a formidable presence, and Sai Pallavi adds grace and strength to Sita.
Most importantly, the film leaves enough emotional and narrative investment for audiences to look forward to the next chapter. It is a confident beginning to a larger saga, one that deserves to be experienced on the biggest screen possible.
