‘Never Seen Before in Indian Cinema’: Ramayana Part 1 Gets Positive Reactions for VFX and Grand Visuals

Divya Bharti
8 Min Read

Nitesh Tiwari’s much-awaited mythological epic Ramayana: Part 1 has finally arrived in theatres on November 5, and the film has already sparked conversations among moviegoers. Starring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana, the ambitious project has received encouraging reactions on social media, with audiences praising its grand visuals, performances and emotionally powerful moments.

Bringing the Ramayana to the big screen is no easy task, considering how deeply the epic is connected to Indian culture and generations of storytelling. Ramanand Sagar’s iconic television adaptation remains a major part of Indian popular culture. With this new cinematic interpretation, director Nitesh Tiwari and producer Namit Malhotra have taken on the challenge of presenting the familiar story on a massive international scale.

Ramayana Part 1 review: A slow beginning but a spectacular second half

The film begins by exploring Ravana’s backstory before introducing his eventual rival, Lord Rama. The screenplay, written by Sridhar Raghavan and Nitesh Tiwari, gives considerable attention to character introductions and the emotional foundations of the story.

However, the first half takes its time establishing the characters, which makes certain portions feel stretched. The decision to divide the epic into multiple instalments allows the makers to explore the characters in greater detail, but this also affects the film’s pace. Some viewers may find the initial portions lengthy, while minor issues with AI dubbing occasionally affect the experience.

Thankfully, the second half picks up momentum with larger action sequences and impressive visual storytelling. The VFX work by DNEG, the visual effects company associated with Namit Malhotra, becomes one of the film’s biggest strengths. The detailed landscapes, larger-than-life settings and carefully created characters give the film a grand cinematic scale.

The makers have also paid attention to important details from the epic, including Ravana’s devotion to Lord Shiva, his takeover of Lanka from Kubera and Kaikeyi’s realisation of the consequences of her decisions. These moments help the film retain the emotional and cultural familiarity of the Ramayana.

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Ranbir Kapoor, Yash and Sai Pallavi’s performances win attention

The performances are another major talking point. Ranbir Kapoor plays Lord Rama, and his action sequences have received appreciation. However, his portrayal may not evoke the same devotional connection that some viewers associate with Arun Govil’s iconic television performance. Govil’s appearance as King Dashrath also creates a special full-circle moment for audiences familiar with the earlier adaptation.

Yash, meanwhile, makes a strong impression as Ravana. His commanding screen presence, expressions and confident portrayal give the character a distinct personality. The interpretation of Ravana’s ten faces is also one of the interesting aspects of the film.

Sai Pallavi brings grace and dignity to Sita, with her casting winning appreciation from viewers who were initially curious about her portrayal. Ravi Dubey also fits the role of Lakshman, bringing out the character’s devotion and impulsive nature.

Lara Dutta delivers a convincing performance as Kaikeyi, while Sheeba Chaddha leaves a lasting impression as Manthara. Arun Govil’s portrayal of King Dashrath adds another emotional layer to the film.

Jatayu sequence emerges as one of the biggest highlights

One of the most memorable moments is the Jatayu sequence, in which the brave bird attempts to rescue Sita from Ravana. Voiced by Anupam Kher, Jatayu’s appearance in the climax has emerged as a major highlight for both critics and audiences.

The sequence has received particular appreciation for its visual effects, emotional impact and attention to detail. Several viewers have described it as one of the most breathtaking portions of the film, with some even calling the VFX work award-worthy.

Hans Zimmer and AR Rahman’s music receives mixed reactions

The collaboration between Hollywood composer Hans Zimmer and Indian music maestro AR Rahman had created enormous expectations before the film’s release. While the background score adds to the scale of certain sequences, the overall music has received mixed reactions.

Some portions sound pleasing, but the songs do not always feel necessary to the narrative. Considering the stature of the two composers and the anticipation surrounding their collaboration, the musical experience may leave some viewers wanting more.

Ramayana Part 1 X review: Audiences praise visuals and climax

Soon after the film’s theatrical release, viewers took to X to share their reactions. Many praised the visual effects, describing the film as a major achievement for Indian cinema. Ranbir Kapoor’s portrayal of Rama and Sai Pallavi’s performance as Sita also received positive comments, while Yash emerged as one of the most discussed performers.

One viewer compared the film’s visuals to Avatar and The Lord of the Rings, praising the detailing and especially the Jatayu sequence. Another called the film an extraordinary cinematic experience, highlighting Yash’s performance and the impressive VFX.

A viewer praised the film’s scale and performances, writing that it was a benchmark for Indian cinema and appreciating Yash’s portrayal of Ravana. Another audience member described the climax as mind-blowing, while noting that the first half was stronger and certain portions of the second half felt slower.

However, not every reaction was entirely positive. Some viewers felt that the film’s lengthy narration and uneven pacing affected the experience. The music also emerged as a point of criticism for a section of the audience, even as the visuals and climax received widespread appreciation.

Ramayana Part 1: Cast, budget and Part 2 release

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana is backed by Namit Malhotra and Yash and mounted on an ambitious reported budget of around ₹4,000 crore for the larger project. The film features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana and Ravi Dubey as Lakshman, alongside a strong supporting cast.

The makers have planned the epic as a two-part cinematic project, with the second instalment now expected to arrive in 2028 after being pushed from its earlier 2027 timeline. Namit Malhotra has also hinted at the possibility of expanding the story into a trilogy.

Overall, Ramayana: Part 1 delivers a visually spectacular retelling of one of India’s most celebrated epics. Its slow opening portions and mixed musical experience may hold it back in places, but the performances, impressive VFX and emotionally charged Jatayu sequence help it meet many of the expectations surrounding the project. With the major war and Hanuman’s arrival still ahead, the next instalment has an even bigger challenge waiting.

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