Ramayana First Review: The first reactions to director Nitesh Tiwari’s highly anticipated mythological epic Ramayana have surfaced online following an exclusive premiere in Los Angeles. Ahead of its scheduled theatrical release on November, 5, lead stars Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, and Sai Pallavi attended the special screening held at the David Geffen Theatre inside the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.
Early viewer responses have sparked significant buzz across social media, offering the public their very first glimpse into the grand production.
Ramayana Twitter Review: Did Ranbir Kapoor-Yash Impress Audiences At LA Screening?
Initial social media reactions from attendees in the United States have largely focused on the leading performances and the sheer cinematic scale.
An X user shared early impressions, writing, "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! Ramayana."
#Ramayana Initial Impressions: 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 second half also drags in places because of where Part 1 chooses to end, with limited material stretched out through lengthy action blocks that don’t create much impact Yash as Ravana is the biggest highlight and is superb, especially in his introduction portions. Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi are solid as Ram and Sita, though the divine aura and emotional weight don’t always fully translate on screen. The visuals are stunning in parts and the money spent is clearly visible, but some scenes still have a noticeable studio/green screen feel with a few cartoonish asuras. The biggest negative, hands down, is the music. For a story like Ramayana, the score has to carry much of the divinity and emotion, but the Indian-Hollywood blend largely backfires and ends up feeling like neither apart from a few scenes. The ambition and scale deserve a lot of applause. Definitely watchable and better than a few recent adaptations, but it falls short of the massive expectations and ultimately feels like a mixed bag with so much more potential. Full review with rating later in my usual style (review embargo)
— Venky Reviews (@venkyreviews) October 28, 2026
#RAMAYANA — EPIC SCALE, MIXED EXECUTION ✅ Grand visuals and massive scale ✅ Yash as Ravana steals the spotlight ❌ Weak music and missing divine aura ❌ Slow second half and flat storytelling ❌ Cartoonish asuras and underwhelming action ❌ Emotional depth falls short A SPECTACLE THAT LOOKS HUGE BUT DOESN’T ALWAYS FEEL EPIC 👀 The ambition is undeniable, but the execution reportedly falls short of the hype. #Ramayana #RanbirKapoor #Yash https://t.co/oGqba8woGe
— ft.uea_v (@ftnewsdaily) October 28, 2026
Another viewer praised Ranbir Kapoor’s emotional portrayal of Lord Rama, "The actor playing Prince Raama (Ranbir Kapoor) is some serious talent, moved to tears! An unforgettable experience. Full Ramayana review on Friday," she posted on X.
First 25–30 minutes 💥🔥🔥🔥 Last 20–25 minutes 💥💥🔥🔥🔥 And in the post-credit scene, we’ll finally get a glimpse of our REAL SUPERHERO the one everyone has been eagerly waiting for and is most excited to see! 🔥 Yes... You know who he is...? 👀🔥💥 #RAMAYANA
— Cɪɴᴇʜᴜɴɢᴀᴍᴀ (@Cinehungamaa_) October 28, 2026
Yes, Ramayana Rise of a Legend has a post-credit scene And the post-credit scene teases that one iconic character that you've all been anticipating. You know who I'm talkin' about. Can't wait for the sequel in 2028. #Ramayana
— Rama's Screen (@RamasScreen) October 28, 2026
#Ramayana Just got out of the world premiere. A massive misfire and an insult to the Ramayana story. #RanbirKapoor gives a poor perf as Ram and #SaiPallavi is bad as Sita. #ARRahman score is really weak. #Yash is pathetic as Raavana. Worst cgi and dead screenplay. TRASH! 1.5/5 🗑️ https://t.co/PuEaJlxZq2
— AllAboutMovies (@MoviesAbout12) October 28, 2026
While the central cast has received strong praise, netizen discussions also reflect nuanced feedback. Viewers appreciated Yash’s commanding screen presence as Ravana and Sai Pallavi’s portrayal of Sita.
However, some online commentary raised concerns regarding the film’s narrative pacing, musical integration, and visual effects execution.
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Nitesh Tiwari On AI Use In Ramayana
Addressing earlier online rumours before the screening, director Nitesh Tiwari clarified the project's use of technology, particularly concerning artificial intelligence. Debunking claims that AI replaced voice actors, Tiwari stated, "As far as AI is concerned, it's only being used to lip-sync, so that we can present the film to the world in their language. All the voices are dubbed by the artists."
Ramayana Cast, Budget And Release Details
Mounted on an reported two-part budget of Rs 4,000 crore, Ramayana features a massive ensemble cast:
- Director: Nitesh Tiwari
- Lord Rama: Ranbir Kapoor
- Ravana: Yash
- Goddess Sita: Sai Pallavi
- Lord Lakshman: Ravie Dubey
- Lord Hanuman: Sunny Deol
- Supporting Cast: Arun Govil, Lara Dutta, Rakul Preet Singh, Vivek Oberoi, Sheeba Chadha
The first part of the franchise is set to hit cinemas on November 5, while the second part is slated for a theatrical release next year during Diwali.
FAQs
Q1: Where did the first premiere of Ramayana take place?
The premiere was held at the David Geffen Theatre inside the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles.
Q2: What did early reactions say about Ranbir Kapoor and Yash?
Early viewers praised Ranbir Kapoor as "sublime" and Yash as "magnetic" in their respective roles as Lord Rama and Ravana.
Q3: Was AI used for dubbing in Ramayana?
No. Director Nitesh Tiwari confirmed that all voices were recorded by real artists, with AI only utilised for language lip-syncing.
Q4: When will Ramayana Part 1 release in theatres?
The first part of Ramayana is scheduled to release worldwide on 5 November.