Malini Awasthi in Ayodhya spoke about the significance of Ram-katha, naming Rama as a role model for Indian society

Bringing a great story like the Ramayana to the screen is a complex task that requires preserving not only grandeur but also emotional depth, character dignity, and the seriousness of the mythological world. However, in the film 'Ramayana,' featuring Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, and Yash, there is a tendency where the creators seem to have moved away from important aspects of the narrative for the sake of flashy CGI and visual effects.

Looking at the faces and appearance of many characters, the excessive use of technology is clearly felt. Some figures look like cartoon characters, and their mannerisms and presence in the frame do not always align with the spirit of the story.

Even the scene of Rama's exile failed to make a strong impression. When Rama is shown crossing the river by boat at night, this key moment of the Ramayana should have conveyed emotional depth, sacrifice, and the beginning of a new life. But the presentation of the scene did not evoke such an emotional response. Instead of focusing on the state of the characters' souls and the pain of exile, this important moment was reduced merely to beautiful visual effects.

The creators missed the connection between Ravana and Mahadeva. In the Ramayana, Ravana is depicted not just as a powerful king and villain, but also as a devoted follower of Mahadeva. His asceticism, devotion to Shiva, and spiritual side give his personality a special depth. This important aspect is insufficiently addressed in the film. Although the figures of Brahma and Vishnu are shown, Ravana's connection to Mahadeva was not presented convincingly. This is regrettable because devotion to Shiva is an integral part of Ravana's character.

CGI technologies are widely used in the film. The attempt to present the divine world, vast sets, and demons looks grand, but the effect is not consistent everywhere. The faces of many characters appear too digital, which makes it difficult to establish an emotional connection with them. It gives the impression that the emphasis was placed on the excessive brightness of the world rather than its realism.

The portrayal of Kumbhakarna, played by Faisal Malik from 'Panchayat,' looks comical rather than imposing. His appearance and scenes in Lanka are often perceived as comedy rather than something serious. Kumbhakarna is a colossal and influential character in the Ramayana whose presence should inspire fear and a sense of power, but here his image weakens the atmosphere even before he has a chance to influence the viewer.

The battles with demons in the forest were also disappointing due to VFX. When Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana fight a demon and a demoness in the forest, the scene does not make a strong impression. The three heroes run through the forest, and an entire army of Asuras is visible behind them. However, there is a lack of realism in this battle scene. The appearance of the demons and the fights themselves look so artificial that the viewer cannot fully immerse themselves in what is happening. Where there should be fear and excitement, there is the falseness of CGI.

The film 'Ramayana' is considered one of the biggest projects in the Hindi cinema industry, boasting a budget of around 4000 crore. It will be released in two parts, with the first part preparing for release in the near future. Actors Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, and Yash are actively promoting the film by sharing their experiences during conversations.

During one interview, Ranbir made a rather unexpected statement. While discussing the filming process, Ranbir Kapoor mentioned the third part of 'Ramayana' in a conversation with Review Nation.

The actor stated that he has completed half of the shooting for his role in the second part of 'Ramayana', and that filming is ongoing. He emphasized that despite working on the second or potential third part, this story will remain with them forever. Ranbir noted: 'This is something that happens only once in life. Regardless of the outcome, the truth is that we were given the opportunity to show this on such a grand scale. When we talk about it, it is a moment that defines our lives.'

Nevertheless, the film's producer Namit Malhotra and director Nitish Tiwari have not yet made an official announcement regarding the existence of a third part. Currently, they have only mentioned two parts: the first part will be released on November 5th, and the second part is rumored to be planned for Diwali 2028.

The cast of the film 'Ramayana' also includes stars such as Ravi Dubey, Arun Govil, Rakul Preet Singh, Vivek Oberoi, Lara Dutta, Faisal Malik, and Kunaal Kapoor.

The film 'Ramayana: Rise of the Legend,' featuring Ranbir Kapoor and Yash, generated significant buzz. Its grand premiere took place in Los Angeles for invited guests and content creators, after which initial opinions on the picture began to emerge.

Reviews were divided: one foreign critic called the film extremely grandiose and magnificent, while another viral review raised serious questions regarding the plot, visual effects, and acting. This situation led to active discussion about the film.

One international reviewer highly praised the film as an epic spectacle, noting that the portrayal of Lord Rama in it differs from the usual depiction. While saying the name Rama, he jokingly mentioned that he hoped to pronounce it correctly. In this critic's opinion, the scale of the picture is vast, and its climax is capable of surprising viewers.

However, there is also a contrasting viewpoint: in one viral review, the film was given a rating of only 1.5 out of 5. This review noted that despite the large scale, the film lacks emotional depth. The critic also questioned the work on visual effects, the pacing of the narrative, and the actors' performances, although he emphasized that this is just one person's opinion and not a final verdict on the film.

The Climax Made the Critic Exclaim

The climax of 'Ramayana' caused the most resonance among positive reviews. A foreign critic recounted that after the film ended, the screen went dark, and he could not contain his reaction, loudly exclaiming 'No.' He also speculated that the ending is so captivating that viewers will wait for a sequel.

If we take this critic's words as truth, the climax could indeed be shocking for the audience, although he did not reveal any major plot twists. Now it remains to be seen how much the audience will like such an ending.

What Did the Critic Say About the Hindi Version?

Another interesting point is that this critic preferred to watch the original Hindi version of the film. According to him, the Hindi version was about 30 minutes longer than the English dubbed version. He wanted to see the film in its pristine form, so he chose the Hindi version.

This is significant because 'Ramayana' is a story closely tied to Indian culture and faith. How the dialogues, emotions, and cultural references are presented in Hindi can hold special meaning for viewers.

The Film Is Over Three Hours Long, Raising Questions About VFX

The negative review also criticized the film's length. The critic complained that the picture, lasting about 3 hours and 20 minutes, seemed too drawn out in some scenes. He accused that many moments slow down the development of the plot instead of advancing it. Furthermore, he expressed disappointment with the use of CGI in scenes depicting forests, palaces, and battles.

He also noted that the film does not pay enough attention to the emotional and moral aspects of the Ramayana story. Nevertheless, these remarks reflect only this critic's point of view, not the general opinion of all viewers.

'Ramayana: Rise of the Legend,' directed by Nitish Tiwari and starring Namit Malhotra, the first episode will be released in theaters on November 5, 2026, for the celebration of Diwali. Ranbir Kapoor plays Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi plays Sita's mother, and Yash plays Ravana. The second part is planned for release in Diwali 2027.

At present, opinions on the film are divided: some have praised its grand scale and climax, while others have questioned the plot and visual effects. It remains for the audience to decide how impressive the experience of watching this millennia-old epic on the big screen will be.