Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana: Part 1 has received enthusiastic reactions from several celebrities following its theatrical release on November 5. Filmmaker Karan Johar praised the performances of Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi and Yash, while rapper Badshah revealed that the film made him emotional despite being familiar with the epic since childhood.
The mythological drama, produced by Namit Malhotra, brings the story of Lord Rama and Ravana to the big screen on a grand cinematic scale. Soon after watching the film, celebrities took to social media to share their reactions, highlighting its visuals, background score, casting and performances.
Among the most talked-about responses were Karan’s detailed appreciation of the lead actors and Badshah’s emotional reaction to the film. Casting director Mukesh Chhabra and actor Sunil Lahri also shared their thoughts, with the latter praising Ravie Dubey’s portrayal of Lakshman.
Here is what celebrities have said about Ramayana: Part 1.
Badshah Says Ramayana Made Him Cry, Praises Jatayu Scene and Background Score
Rapper Badshah shared an emotional reaction after watching Ramayana and encouraged audiences to experience the film in theatres. In his post on X, he praised the cinematic presentation, describing every frame as breathtaking and saying the characters felt real.
He also admitted that the film made him cry, even though the story was familiar to him from childhood. Badshah particularly appreciated the background music and singled out the sequence featuring Jatayu as one of the film’s standout moments.
“You have to watch it. Namit has delivered. Every frame is breathtaking. The characters feel so real. It made me cry, even when we’ve known the story since our childhood. INCREDIBLE BGM,” he wrote.
The rapper also praised the performances of Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Ravie Dubey, Yash, Lara Dutta, Arun Govil and Rakul Preet Singh. He further urged viewers to watch the film on the big screen.
In a separate post, Badshah credited casting director Mukesh Chhabra for bringing together the ensemble. He specifically praised Lara Dutta’s casting as Kaikeyi and Ravie Dubey’s portrayal of Lakshman, describing the choices as particularly effective.
Karan Johar Calls Ranbir Kapoor’s Lord Rama Portrayal Divine
Filmmaker Karan Johar shared an extensive reaction to Ramayana, praising the ambition behind the adaptation and the team responsible for bringing the epic to cinemas.
Describing the story as deeply connected to India’s cultural identity, Karan noted that generations have grown up reading, watching and sharing the Ramayana. He said that despite the familiarity of the epic, the film’s cinematic adaptation managed to leave him impressed.
Karan also congratulated producer Namit Malhotra and director Nitesh Tiwari for their conviction and vision. He praised the scale of their ambition and the creative effort involved in translating a story so familiar to audiences into a theatrical spectacle.
Among the performances, Ranbir Kapoor’s portrayal of Lord Rama received particularly strong appreciation. Karan said the actor had managed to make audiences believe in Rama as a divine embodiment of goodness and humanity without relying on unnecessary visual embellishments.
He described it as one of Ranbir’s most challenging roles and praised the actor’s restrained, meditative approach to the character. Karan also highlighted the expressive quality of his eyes, suggesting that much of the performance’s emotional impact came through subtle expressions rather than elaborate gestures.
The filmmaker’s response places particular emphasis on the challenge of portraying a revered figure who already holds a significant place in the cultural imagination of millions.
Karan Johar Praises Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana
Karan Johar also praised Sai Pallavi’s portrayal of Sita, describing her performance as divine and sublime. He appreciated the way she brought conviction to the character, particularly the emotional dimensions of Sita’s sacrifice and unconditional love.
He also had strong words for Yash, who plays Ravana. Karan described the actor’s screen presence as mesmerising and powerful, praising the impact he creates whenever he appears.
The filmmaker specifically mentioned the sequence involving Ravana and his multiple inner voices, calling it outstanding. His comments highlighted the contrast between the central characters and the different emotional and dramatic qualities their performances bring to the story.
Karan also singled out Ravie Dubey’s portrayal of Lakshman. He praised the actor for capturing the loyalty and affection of Rama’s younger brother, adding that the performance moved him.
Beyond the lead cast, Karan congratulated the ensemble and the technical team for their contribution to the film. He ended his reaction by encouraging audiences to watch the film with their families, describing the experience as a source of inspiration.
Sunil Lahri Praises Ravie Dubey’s Portrayal of Lakshman
Actor Sunil Lahri, who famously played Lakshman in Ramanand Sagar’s television series Ramayan, also reacted to Ravie Dubey’s performance in the new film.
Sharing his thoughts on X, Sunil praised the innocence and intensity that he felt were important to the character. He wrote, “The innocence n intensity should be reflected in the character of Laxman is visible in the new Ramayana. Hearty wishes for the success of the new Ramayana.”
His response is particularly notable given his own association with the character. Sunil’s portrayal of Lakshman remains familiar to generations of television viewers, making his appreciation of the new interpretation a significant reaction among fans of the epic.
Mukesh Chhabra Calls Ramayana a Beautiful Film
Casting director Mukesh Chhabra also praised the film after watching it. Calling Ramayana a beautiful film, he expressed admiration for the cinematic experience created by the team and said audiences would feel happy and proud after watching it.
Chhabra’s reaction also comes amid Badshah’s appreciation of the film’s casting. The rapper specifically credited him for the choices of Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi and Ravie Dubey as Lakshman, praising the casting decisions.
Ramayana Part 1: Cast, Director and Release Details
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra, Ramayana: Part 1 features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana. Ravie Dubey plays Lakshman, while Sunny Deol appears as Hanuman.
The ensemble also includes Arun Govil as Dasharatha, Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi, Indira Krishnan as Kaushalya, Rakul Preet Singh as Surpanakha, Kajal Aggarwal as Mandodari and Anupam Kher as Jatayu, among other actors.
The film’s music brings together A. R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer, while its large-scale visual effects and production design form a major part of the cinematic adaptation.
Ramayana: Part 1 released worldwide in theatres on November 5, 2026, across multiple languages. With celebrity reactions highlighting its performances, music and visual scale, the film has become one of the major theatrical talking points surrounding its release.
The reactions shared by Karan Johar, Badshah, Sunil Lahri and Mukesh Chhabra reflect their individual responses to the film. Audience reception and the film’s wider theatrical performance will continue to shape the conversation around this ambitious retelling of the epic.
