Ramayana: Rise of a Legend has received its first wave of audience reactions following its world premiere in Los Angeles on October 27, 2026. While viewers have praised Ranbir Kapoor’s portrayal of Rama, Yash’s performance as Ravana and the film’s ambitious visual scale, some early reactions have raised concerns about the music, second-half pacing and emotional depth. The film is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on November 5, 2026.
Key Points
- Ramayana: Rise of a Legend premiered in Los Angeles on October 27.
- Early viewers praised Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, the visuals and the film’s scale.
- Some reactions criticised the music, pacing and perceived lack of emotional depth.
- Producer Namit Malhotra has described the combined budget for both instalments as approximately $500 million.
Ramayana First Reactions: A Grand Cinematic Spectacle?
The first reactions to Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana have begun circulating online following a special screening in Los Angeles. One viewer described the film as “spectacular” and praised its visuals, dance sequences, music and action, calling it one of 2026’s most immersive cinematic experiences.
The reaction also singled out the lead performances, describing Ranbir Kapoor as sublime and Yash as magnetic. Such praise reflects the excitement surrounding the film’s attempt to bring one of India’s most familiar epics to the big screen on an expansive cinematic scale.
Other viewers have expressed similar enthusiasm, praising the cast’s performances and the production’s ambition. Some early reactions have also highlighted the film’s visual effects and its potential to offer audiences a large-scale theatrical experience.
However, these comments represent individual responses from people who attended the Los Angeles screening. They should not be treated as a final verdict on the film’s wider critical or commercial reception.
Ranbir Kapoor and Yash Emerge as Early Highlights
Ranbir Kapoor plays Rama, while Yash portrays Ravana in the two-part adaptation. Their performances have become a major talking point in the first reactions, with viewers highlighting the contrast between the two central characters.
Kapoor has received praise for his portrayal of Rama, with some viewers responding positively to the character’s presence and emotional moments. Yash, meanwhile, has attracted attention for his portrayal of Ravana, with early reactions describing his performance as magnetic and commanding.
Sai Pallavi plays Sita, while Sunny Deol appears as Hanuman. The film also features Ravi Dubey as Lakshman and brings together a large ensemble to portray characters from the epic.
The early responses suggest that the principal performances are an important part of the conversation surrounding Ramayana. Whether those performances translate into a broadly positive critical response will become clearer as more reviews emerge.
Ramayana Faces Criticism Over Music, Pacing and Emotional Depth
Despite the enthusiasm, the initial response has not been uniformly positive. Some viewers have questioned whether the film’s visual ambition consistently translates into emotional impact and compelling storytelling.
Criticism has focused on the musical score, the pacing of the second half and the perceived lack of emotional depth in certain scenes. One critical reaction also described some of the asura designs as overly cartoonish and suggested that parts of the narration felt closer to a television serial than an immersive theatrical epic.
The music has emerged as a particular point of debate. With Hans Zimmer and A. R. Rahman associated with the project, expectations for the soundtrack are high. Some early viewers have questioned whether the combination of Indian and international musical styles delivers the emotional weight they expected from a story of this scale.
These concerns remain preliminary observations rather than a consensus. Different viewers may respond differently to the film’s storytelling, visual effects and musical choices, and the broader assessment will depend on the reviews that follow.
What Namit Malhotra Has Said About Ramayana’s Budget
The scale of Ramayana has been a major subject of discussion even before its release. Producer Namit Malhotra previously discussed the project’s financial ambition in a conversation with Prakhar Gupta, explaining that the combined budget for both instalments would be approximately $500 million, equivalent to more than Rs 4,000 crore at the time of the reported statement.
Malhotra described the project as an unusually ambitious undertaking for Indian cinema, while also saying that the team was attempting to manage its resources efficiently rather than spend irresponsibly.
The reported figure applies to both parts combined, not just the first instalment. The scale of the production has raised expectations around its visual effects, action sequences, music and overall theatrical presentation.
The first audience reactions reflect that ambition, with praise for the film’s spectacle appearing alongside questions about whether the storytelling and emotional elements meet the same standard.
When Will Ramayana: Rise of a Legend Release?
Ramayana: Rise of a Legend is scheduled to release worldwide in theatres on November 5, 2026. The film is directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra, with Yash also associated with the production.
The story is being presented across two instalments. The second part was initially planned for Diwali 2027, although subsequent reporting has raised the possibility of a later release. Any change to that schedule should be treated as unconfirmed unless the makers announce a revised date.
With the first film’s release approaching, audiences will soon be able to judge its performances, storytelling, music and visual effects for themselves. Until then, the Los Angeles screening offers an early glimpse of both the excitement and the questions surrounding the project.
JAY-HO! READ
Ramayana arrives with enormous expectations, a celebrated cast and a production scale rarely attempted in Indian cinema. The first reactions suggest that its visuals and lead performances have made a strong impression on some viewers, while the music, pacing and emotional depth remain points of debate. The most meaningful verdict will emerge after the film reaches a wider audience and full reviews become available.
What to Watch Next
Watch for the release of full reviews, further audience reactions and any official announcement concerning the second instalment’s schedule. The film’s worldwide theatrical release is currently set for November 5, 2026.
Stay tuned to Jay-Ho! for more Bollywood news, movie reviews and entertainment updates.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the first reviews of Ramayana saying?
Early audience reactions to Ramayana: Rise of a Legend have praised its visual spectacle and lead performances, while some viewers have raised concerns about the music, pacing and emotional depth.
2. How did Ranbir Kapoor perform in Ramayana?
Some early viewers praised Ranbir Kapoor’s portrayal of Rama, describing his performance as sublime. Broader critical opinions may emerge as more reviews become available.
3. What are viewers saying about Yash in Ramayana?
Yash, who plays Ravana, has received positive early reactions, with some viewers describing his performance as magnetic and commanding.
4. What criticisms have emerged in the early Ramayana reactions?
Some viewers have criticised the musical score, second-half pacing, emotional depth and the design of certain asura characters. These are individual reactions, not a definitive critical consensus.
5. What is the budget of Ramayana?
Producer Namit Malhotra has reportedly put the combined budget of both instalments at approximately $500 million, or more than Rs 4,000 crore. This figure refers to both parts together, not only the first film.
