What Makes the New Ramayana Film a Must-Watch? Insights from Early Viewers!

Ramayana: A Visual Spectacle Hits Theatres

New Delhi: The much-anticipated film Ramayana, a visually stunning adaptation of the revered Hindu epic, premiered in theatres nationwide on Thursday. Audiences have responded positively, particularly praising the film's impressive visual effects and standout performances from Ranbir Kapoor and Yash.

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, this film marks the first part of a two-part series based on the ancient tale. The cast includes Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, and Ravie Dubey as Lakshman.

On its opening day, the film is being showcased in 11,621 screenings across the country, highlighting its extensive release as a high-budget production.

As the day unfolded, feedback from viewers began to emerge. Many applauded the film's grand scale, cinematography, and visual effects, although some critics felt the narrative and dialogue could have been more compelling.

One viewer, who experienced the film in 3D at Fun Republic in Andheri, commended the creative team's visual interpretation of the epic, noting that the characters remained faithful to the artistic choices made.

"The VFX and CGI are truly magnificent. The film felt authentic, accurately reflecting the Ramayana as dictated by our culture and history. Every detail was meticulously presented," the audience member shared.

"What I appreciated most was the realistic portrayal of the characters. They remained consistent with their choices throughout the film," he added.

Yash's performance as Ravana received particular acclaim, with many viewers noting his nuanced portrayal, which deviated from the typical depiction of the character.

"Yash as Ravana was outstanding. He embodied the character as I envisioned him, avoiding the usual mainstream portrayal. His performance was subtle yet powerful," remarked one viewer.

Another audience member highlighted Yash's dialogue delivery and his command of Sanskrit, acknowledging the effort he put into his role.

Ranbir Kapoor's depiction of Lord Ram also garnered praise, with one viewer stating that he captivated the audience throughout the first half.

"When it was Ram's turn, I was curious about Ranbir Kapoor's approach. He kept me engaged. The first half was definitely worth the ticket price," the viewer commented.

Another attendee described the film as "magnificent," commending Tiwari's direction, along with the cinematography by Pankaj Kumar and Mahesh Limaye, and the visual effects.

"I loved the movie. Nitesh Tiwari's direction is commendable. Despite its 3.25-hour runtime, I was never bored," he stated.

While acknowledging that the film takes time to set up its story, he emphasized that its visual grandeur makes for an engaging experience.

"Initially, there are some slower scenes, but you won't lose interest. Every frame is enjoyable," he noted.

However, one viewer expressed disappointment, feeling that Ramayana did not meet the high expectations set by its budget and scale.

"Given its big-budget status, I anticipated a great film. But after watching it, I felt let down. There was nothing particularly special. The 3D experience provided some entertainment," he said, questioning the film's direction and dialogue.

"Compared to the Ramayana series we used to watch, this film lacks depth in performance," he added.

Online reactions have also been predominantly positive.

"Peak Cinema! Worth every single penny. Go watch it, folks! The INDRA vs RAVANA sequence was pure cinematic brilliance!" exclaimed one user on X, referring to the film's opening battle between Ravana and Lord Indra, portrayed by Kunal Kapoor.

Others praised the action scenes featuring the mythical character Jatayu, voiced by Anupam Kher, with many sharing clips of the fight on social media.

"The entire Jatayu sequence was worth my ticket #Ramayana," commented one netizen.

Another user remarked, "Ramayana Part 1 is EPIC. The Jatayu-Ravan battle is peak cinema."

The film concludes its first part with Rama vowing to rescue Sita and offers a glimpse of Hanuman soaring across the ocean, his face hidden from the audience. Sunny Deol will portray this character in the second part, set to release next year.

According to the trade tracking site Sacnilk, Ramayana is on track for a blockbuster opening, with pre-sale tickets already surpassing Rs 100 crore for the weekend at the global box office.

While box office figures are still being updated, the film has reportedly earned Rs 28 crore by 3 PM (net) in India, as per Sacnilk.