Ramayana Part 1 opens to mixed early reviews, with praise for visuals and lead cast

Nitesh Tiwari's *Ramayana: Part 1* reached cinemas on 5 November 2026, and early reviews are mixed but largely positive. The film stars Ranbir Kapoor as Ram and Yash as Ravana, with Sai Pallavi also in the cast. It is the first of a two-part adaptation of the ancient epic.

One reviewer said the film is a sleek, lavish spectacle in the style of a Hollywood epic. It chooses to open with Ravana's story, showing his rise from the margins of Lanka. Yash's Ravana is portrayed as a fierce warrior and a man who believes in fair treatment of his citizens. Another critic called the lead performances strong and the visuals impressive.

The reviews are less kind about the film's pacing and tone. One critic said the story slows down after it moves to Ayodhya. Another said the film's grandeur sometimes feels artificial, and that it offers more show than soul. The score, by Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman according to one listing, drew both praise and criticism for being sweeping in places.

The Ramayana has been retold on screen many times, and it is cherished by many Hindus and by general audiences. Tiwari's version is one of the most expensive Indian productions of its kind, produced by Namit Malhotra. One reviewer called the film a worthy reference point for future mythological films, praising Tiwari for handling a familiar story with skill.

For Indian moviegoers, the film is a major theatrical release for the Diwali-season period. Its box-office performance and reception in other languages are not yet reported. Part 2 has not yet been dated in the reviews. Whether the second part will address the pacing concerns raised in these early reviews is not yet known.