Namit Malhotra's upcoming mythological epic Ramayana Part 1 has been surrounded with controversies since day 1 of its announcement. Whether it is the casting, songs or the VFX, the upcoming movie has had garnered attention from the audience and critics for several reasons.
Here are five most-talked about controversies:
Ramayana Part 1 teaser faced VFX and AI criticisms
Ramayana Part 1 teaser released months ago and it received mixed reviews for the VFX and AI usage. Critics pointed out AI-generated heavy backgrounds and frames. A BTS video was unveiled to show the real efforts put into building the world of Ramayana.
Yash also defended the movie, saying, "I'll request you all one thing. Namit Malhotra has gambled it. Trust me, he has put his reputation, his money, everything at stake to put this film on a global platform. Ultimately, cinema will be something which everybody will, if they like it, talk about."
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AR Rahman's Mangal Rang song backlash
AR Rahman’s wedding song Mangal Rang drew sharp backlash for its heavy Sufi and qawwali influences, which critics felt clashed with the Hindu epic’s setting. Listeners also criticized the melody for sounding repetitive, noting striking similarities to his earlier track "Kun Faya Kun" from Rockstar.
Sai Pallavi's casting as Maa Sita
Following the Ramayana trailer launch on July 20, Sai Pallavi drew heavy criticism over her casting as Sita, facing scrutiny over her beauty standards, screen presence, Hindi accent and wavy hair.
Reacting to this, costume designer Rimple said, "We knew conversations and comparisons were inevitable. An epic like the Ramayana has lived in our collective consciousness for generations."
"There will always be opinions about the casting, costumes, visual effects and what people believe is right or wrong. We were prepared for that. What has kept us grounded is our honesty towards our craft," Rimple added.
Dipika Chikhlia's criticism towards Ramayana
Dipika Chikhlia, beloved for playing Sita in Ramanand Sagar's iconic 1987 Ramayan, voiced strong skepticism in June 2024 against yet another remake of the epic.
She had said, "I am quite disillusioned by people who keep making Ramayan because... they want to bring in a new story, a new angle, a new look."
Ranbir Kapoor's 'big beef fan' comment
Ranbir Kapoor’s casting as Lord Ram drew sharp backlash after a resurfaced 2011 interview—where he described himself as a "big beef fan"—sparked public outrage, with critics claiming it made him unfit to portray the Hindu deity.
He had said, "He had said, "My family is from Peshawar, so a lot of Peshawari food has come with them. I am a mutton, paya, and beef fan. Yeah, I am a big beef fan."
FAQs
When will Ramayana Part 1 release in theatres?
Ramayana Part 1 will hit the theatres on November 5, 2026.
What is the budget of Ramayana?
The upcoming two-part epic film series Ramayana, directed by Nitesh Tiwari and starring Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, and Sai Pallavi, has a combined estimated budget of ₹4,000 crore (approximately $420 million to $500 million).
How much has Ramayana Part 1 has earned from pre-ticket sales?
Ramayana: Part One has crossed ₹100 crore to ₹115 crore in worldwide advance ticket sales across its opening weekend.