Mumbai: With a story as familiar as Ramayana, there is only so much room to surprise the audience. Most people already know these characters and their journeys, so the real question is how well the film brings them to life. Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana Part 1 certainly looks grand, with elaborate sets and impressive visual effects. However, I felt that the film could have done a lot more with its emotional side.
Interestingly, the film takes its time with Ravana's past before getting into Rama's journey. I liked this approach because we get to see what shaped Ravana rather than just being introduced to him as a villain. That said, the opening does feel a little too long. Things pick up once the story moves to Ayodhya, where we see the four princes, Sita Swayamvar and Rama's exile. These are familiar parts of the Ramayana, and while they have been recreated well, I wanted the film to spend more time on the characters and their relationships.
As for the visuals, there are quite a few moments that caught my attention. The battle with Tataka, the confrontation involving Shurpanakha and the Pushpaka Vimana are worth mentioning. The Jatayu sequence, where he tries to save Sita, is also one of the more emotional moments in the film. However, not every scene manages to create the same impact. Some portions look a little too polished, and the film occasionally feels more interested in showing off its visuals than letting the scenes speak for themselves.
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Oct 28, 2026Yash is easily the most interesting part of the film. As Ravana, he brings the arrogance and intensity that the character needs. He has a strong screen presence, and I found myself looking forward to his scenes. Ranbir Kapoor looks convincing as Rama, especially during the action sequences, although I wanted more emotional depth in his performance. Sai Pallavi is sincere as Sita but doesn't get enough substantial moments. Ravi Dubey fits well as Lakshmana, while Lara Dutta makes an impression as Kaikeyi. Rakul Preet Singh is interesting as Shurpanakha, and Saurabh Sachdeva does a good job as Maricha.
The writing is where the film struggles the most. Even with a runtime of 3 hours and 15 minutes, some relationships don't get enough attention. The lighter conversations involving Lakshmana don't always work, and a few explanations go on for longer than necessary. I also felt that the film could have shown more of the bond between Rama, Sita and Lakshmana before their exile. We needed those simple family moments to become more invested in what happens to them later.
Ramayana Part 1 has some genuinely impressive visuals, and Yash gives the film a performance worth watching. However, I wanted more from its storytelling. The film has the scale, but the emotional connection is not always there. It makes for an ambitious first instalment, though I hope the next part pays more attention to its characters rather than relying so much on spectacle.
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