Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana: Part 1 brings the epic battle between good and evil to the big screen, starring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Yash as Ravana and Sai Pallavi as Sita. With critics weighing in on its breathtaking visuals, powerful performances and grand storytelling, here’s a look at their reviews.
The Economic Times
”Arun Govil, who famously played Lord Ram in Ramanand Sagar's 1987 television series, steps into the role of King Dasharath and delivers a good performance. Vivek Oberoi as Vidyutjihva, Shobana as Kaikesi, Rakul Preet Singh as Surpanakha, Kajal Aggarwal as Mandodari, Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi and Indira Krishnan as Kausalya also leave an impression with their performances."
Pinkvilla
"With Ramayana: Part 1, Yash emerges as the undisputed standout, delivering a magnetic performance as Ravana. He convincingly captures the character's transformation from a devoted scholar of Lord Shiva into an arrogant and formidable ruler, bringing exactly the intensity and menace the role demands. Sai Pallavi is equally impressive as Sita, bringing elegance and resilience to the character. Her expressive portrayal, particularly during the sequence involving Ravana taking Sita away, provides some of the film's most moving moments. Ranbir Kapoor brings dignity and grace to Prince Rama, while Sai Pallavi delivers a graceful and emotionally engaging performance as Sita. The collaboration between AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer adds an epic musical dimension, complementing the film's emotional and dramatic moments."
"The film's visual grandeur is equally impressive, particularly in its depiction of Ayodhya and Lanka. The sophisticated visual effects and CGI enhance the mythical world, making the storytelling immersive and spectacular. The confrontation between Ravana and Jatayu stands out as one of the film's most memorable sequences, combining breathtaking action with genuine emotional weight.”
The Hollywood Reporter
”With endless resources and predestined eyeballs, it’s hard to go wrong with mythology as revered as the Ramayana. But it’s harder to get right, if there is such a thing. This double-edged sword is on full display in Nitesh Tiwari’s 195-minute film. The most remarkable aspect of Valmiki’s ancient epic, like all timeless poetry and prose, is that you don’t have to be religious to feel its influence. Nearly every tale ever told can be traced back to the works of Valmiki and Homer; it’s the origin story of storytelling itself. Given that the Ramayana was an introduction to literature for many of us — through illustrated pages, bedtime reading or television serials — the nostalgia does half the job.”
The Hindustand Times
”The most expensive film in Indian history is here as Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana releases worldwide on a grand scale. The film, backed by Namit Malhotra's Prime Focus Studios, boasts an international crew and an A-list Indian cast. Ramayana is an adaptation of Valmiki's epic and also draws from other sources of the story, including Tulsidas' Ramcharitmanas.”
