The release of Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana trailer has once again brought the discussion around mythological films into the spotlight. Ever since the trailer featuring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram and Yash as Ravana arrived, comparisons with Om Raut’s Adipurush have become unavoidable.
Both films are based on the timeless epic Ramayana, one of India’s most revered stories, but their approach appears to be completely different. From the portrayal of characters to the visual world, music and emotional depth, Ramayana seems to be taking a more traditional and grounded approach, while Adipurush attempted to present the epic as a larger-than-life fantasy spectacle.
Released in 2023, Adipurush faced heavy criticism from audiences over its visual effects, character designs and creative choices. Many viewers felt that the film moved too far away from the emotional and spiritual essence of the original epic. With Ramayana, the makers appear to have focused on bringing back the grandeur, dignity and emotional connection associated with the legendary tale.
Lord Ram: Warrior Image vs Maryada Purushottam
One of the biggest differences between the two films is the way Lord Ram has been presented.
In Adipurush, Prabhas’ character Raghava was shown as a powerful warrior leading an army into battle. The trailer focused heavily on action, aggression and revenge against evil. His character appeared more like a heroic battlefield commander preparing for war.
On the other hand, Ranbir Kapoor’s portrayal in Ramayana seems to highlight the qualities traditionally associated with Lord Ram — compassion, sacrifice and righteousness. His dialogues in the trailer reflect his commitment towards duty and honour, especially his decision to respect his father’s promise despite personal hardships.
Rather than presenting Ram only as a warrior, the film appears to focus on the idea of Maryada Purushottam, a figure known for his values, patience and moral strength.
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Ravana: Fantasy Villain vs Powerful King of Lanka
The portrayal of Ravana has also become a major talking point.
Saif Ali Khan’s portrayal of Lankesh in Adipurush received mixed reactions after the trailer release. His modern hairstyle, fantasy-inspired appearance and dark visual styling led many viewers to feel that the character looked more like a fictional fantasy villain rather than the legendary scholar and ruler described in mythology.
In contrast, Yash’s Ravana in Ramayana appears to follow a more traditional interpretation. The character is shown with royal costumes, golden armour and a powerful presence. The trailer presents Ravana as a mighty ruler with intelligence, strength and authority.
Instead of showing him only as a villain, the film seems to acknowledge the complexity of Ravana’s character — a powerful king whose downfall became one of the greatest stories of mythology.
Visual Effects: Fantasy World vs Realistic Grandeur
Visual effects were among the biggest criticisms faced by Adipurush. Many viewers felt that several scenes appeared overly dependent on CGI, giving the film a video-game-like appearance rather than the feel of an epic historical or mythological world.
The trailer of Ramayana, however, has created a different impression. The film appears to combine large-scale sets with advanced visual effects to create a more realistic world. Locations such as Ayodhya, forests and battlefields look detailed and immersive.
Characters like Jatayu and large-scale war sequences appear to have been designed with greater attention to realism, helping the audience connect emotionally with the story.
Music: Powerful Chants vs Emotional Experience
Music plays an important role in both films but their approach appears different.
Adipurush relied heavily on powerful chants and energetic background music, especially the popular “Jai Shri Ram” theme, creating a high-energy atmosphere.
Meanwhile, Ramayana brings together the musical talents of Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman. The trailer’s background score carries a more emotional and majestic feel, combining orchestral sounds with traditional elements to create a sense of scale and spirituality.
The music appears designed not only to create excitement but also to connect audiences with the emotional journey of the characters.
A New Attempt to Bring Back the Essence of Ramayana
While it is too early to judge the final films based only on their trailers, the difference in their storytelling approach is already visible.
Adipurush attempted to transform the epic into a modern action-fantasy experience, while Ramayana appears to focus on preserving the emotional, cultural and spiritual essence of the original story.
With a reported massive budget and a star-studded cast including Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Yash, Ravi Dubey, Vivek Oberoi, Saurabh Sachdeva and Rakul Preet Singh, Ramayana has created huge expectations among audiences.
The first part of the two-film saga is scheduled for a worldwide release on November 8, 2026, during Diwali, while the second part is expected in 2027. Whether the film truly becomes the definitive cinematic version of the epic remains to be seen, but the trailer has already given hope to fans who wanted a more respectful and emotionally powerful adaptation of Ramayana.
