Nitesh Tiwari’s two-part adaptation of the Ramayana has opened in cinemas at a scale Hindi film has not attempted before. The first part, released through Dharma Productions on 5 November 2026, begins with the childhood of Rama and ends with Sita’s abduction by Ravana. A second part is expected about two years later.
The scale and the screen
The film is produced by Double Negative, Monster Mind Creations and Prime Focus Studios. Film Information puts the production cost at Rs. 1,100 crore, or Rs. 1,500 crore including publicity abroad. That budget is visible early: the review calls the opening stretch mind-numbing and says the computer graphics and visual effects set a new benchmark for Hindi cinema, matching high Hollywood standards. Action choreography by Guy Norris and Terry Notary is described as phenomenal.
What the review praises and where it strains
The adaptation is expansive but uneven. The review says the screenplay, by Shridhar Raghavan and Nitesh Tiwari, is interesting yet scattered; some scenes are touched upon rather than elaborated, and the 14-year jungle portion has more visual sweep than dialogue. The emotional high point is the sequence of Rama, Sita and Laxman leaving Ayodhya, though the build-up to it feels hurried.
- Ranbir Kapoor brings dignity to Rama, using expression and body language more than theatrics.
- Yash is extraordinary as Ravana, with a physical presence that commands the screen.
- Sai Pallavi is natural as Sita, and Ravie Dubey is mature as Laxman.
- Anupam Kher’s voice for Jatayu and Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi leave an impact.
A.R. Rahman’s music is judged good but disappointing for a film of this scale; the review says the super-hit songs are missing, with “Jai Jai Ram” appearing only in the end titles. Hans Zimmer shares background-music credit with Rahman, and that score is called outstanding.
Business and belief
The review is bullish on the box office because of the faith attached to the epic. It notes that the opening was extraordinary even in dull pre-Diwali days. The review argues that FOMO — the fear of missing out — will add crores to the revenue, and that the film has repeat value. The overseas release has been handled like a big-budget Hollywood film, which the source calls a first for an Indian film.
For audiences who know the Ramayana, the compressed scenes may not be a problem. The reviewer’s larger point is that the real pleasure is watching the moral universe of Rama and Sita interact with everyone around them. That, more than any VFX frame, is the film’s bet.
Source: Film Information
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