Ramayana first reactions: Ranbir Kapoor and Yash draw praise, netizens compare to Lord of the Rings
The first audience reactions to Ramayana: Part One are in, with viewers praising the film’s grand scale and the performances of Ranbir Kapoor and Yash.
The film was screened at an invitation-only premiere in Los Angeles on October 27. Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Yash, director Nitesh Tiwari and producer Namit Malhotra attended the event, along with international celebrities and industry representatives.
Social media reactions from viewers singled out Yash’s portrayal of Ravana. One viewer called him the film’s biggest highlight, particularly during his introduction scenes. Ranbir Kapoor’s portrayal of Lord Ram also received praise.
One viewer described Ranbir as “sublime” and Yash as “magnetic”, calling the film one of the year’s most immersive cinematic experiences.
“Ramayana Rise of a Legend was spectacular! The visuals, the dances, the music, the action were all colossal. Ranbir Kapoor was sublime, Yash was magnetic. One of this year’s most immersive cinematic experiences. A grand spectacle!” the viewer wrote.
Another viewer said Ranbir’s scenes drew whistles and cheers, although they felt the film would have had a greater impact if it had been made in Hindi.
The film also drew comparisons with The Lord of the Rings franchise. One viewer said the cinematic experience reminded them of the first film in the fantasy franchise, praising the scale, the portrayal of Rama and the ending.
“There is nothing like Ramayana in the cinematic universe. I haven’t felt like this since the very first Lord Of the Rings movie came out,” the viewer said.
The viewer described the film as grand and epic, adding that its cliffhanger ending left them eager for the second part. They also described it as a three-hour film and said even The Lord of the Rings did not compare with its scale.
However, the initial reactions were not entirely positive. One review praised the film’s ambition and production scale but argued that it sometimes prioritised spectacle and action over emotional storytelling.
“A hugely ambitious film mounted on a grand scale, and the effort behind it is clearly visible. The team largely stays true to the Ramayana, but the film leans more on spectacle and action than drama and emotion, leaving parts of the narration feeling flat and even serial like at times,” the review read.
Another reaction praised Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi’s performances as Ram and Sita but suggested that the characters’ divine aura and emotional depth did not always translate effectively on screen. A separate review also raised concerns about the film’s musical impact and pacing.
Ramayana: Part One is expected to release in theatres this Diwali, while the second instalment is scheduled for Diwali 2027.l