Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana: Part 1 opened in cinemas today, Thursday, 5 November 2026, and the reviews are split. Critics and viewers agree on two things: the visuals are huge and Yash’s Ravana is the best thing in the film. Where they disagree is on whether the story has enough heart to carry a film that runs over three hours.
Ramayana review ratings at a glance
| Outlet / critic | Rating | Short verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Bollywood Hungama (Taran Adarsh) | 5/5 | Calls it an experience, not just a film |
| India TV (Jaya Dwivedie) | 4/5 | Lives up to the hype, but slow in places |
| Telugu360 | 4/5 | Faithful and spectacular, with slow stretches |
| M9 News | 2.5/5 | Big on scale, short on soul |
What the positive reviews say
Taran Adarsh’s Bollywood Hungama review is the most generous. He praises DNEG’s visual effects, the music by AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer, and singles out the opening Brahma-Ravana scene, the Sita Swayamvar and the pre-interval stretch. He did not list any weaknesses.
The India TV review likes Ranbir Kapoor’s restrained Rama and Sai Pallavi’s grounded Sita. It says Tiwari keeps the emotional core of the epic intact and suggests watching it in IMAX or 3D. Its complaints are that the film could have been shorter and some CGI creatures look artificial.
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Telugu360 calls the background score world class and picks Ravana’s entrance and the Jatayu fight as highlights. It also warns about the long Vanavasam and Panchavati portions.
What the critics did not like
The M9 News review gives it 2.5 stars. It praises the scale, the action and Yash, and says Rakul Preet Singh is a good fit as Shurpanakha. But it finds the Rama-Sita bond underdeveloped and says the spiritual side of the story does not come through. It also calls the songs forgettable and says Kajal Aggarwal has little to do.
That last point about emotion comes up again and again, even in some of the kinder reviews.
Ramayana Twitter review: how fans are reacting
Social media reactions follow the same split, as per a roundup by India.com. Yash gets the loudest praise, with many viewers calling his Ravana the film’s biggest strength. The Jatayu sequence is the most talked-about scene.
The common complaints from viewers:
- The second half feels stretched and some action scenes go on too long.
- The background score sounds like a generic superhero film to some viewers.
- Supporting characters are not introduced properly.
- The ending of Part 1 feels unsatisfying to a section of the audience.
A few industry names have also reacted. As per Filmibeat, Karan Johar called Yash’s Ravana mesmerising and Badshah said the film made him cry. Sunil Lahri, who played Laxman in the 1987 TV series, said some of the songs disappointed him.
Should you watch it?
If you are going for the scale, the VFX and Yash, most reviews say you will get your money’s worth on the biggest screen you can find. If you want the emotional pull of the old TV Ramayan, go in with lower expectations. Either way, plan your snacks for a long sitting.
The film had already crossed Rs 100 crore in worldwide advance bookings before release, as we reported in our Ramayana advance booking update. For cast details, see our Ramayana Part 1 cast guide, and for other options this festive week, check the Diwali 2026 releases list.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ramayana Part 1 worth watching?
Most reviews recommend it for the visuals, scale and Yash’s performance, ideally on a big screen. Critics are less sure about its emotional depth and pacing.
What rating did Taran Adarsh give Ramayana?
Taran Adarsh gave it 5 out of 5 in his Bollywood Hungama review.
Who plays Ravana in Ramayana Part 1?
Yash plays Ravana. Ranbir Kapoor plays Rama and Sai Pallavi plays Sita.
Who composed the music for Ramayana?
The music is by AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer.
