Ramayana: Part One has arrived in cinemas worldwide on November 5, 2026, bringing the ancient Indian epic to the big screen with a scale never seen before in Indian cinema. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra under Prime Vision Studios, DNEG, and Yash’s Monster Mind Creations, the film stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Yash as Ravana. With a runtime of 195 minutes (3 hours 15 minutes) , a reported budget of ₹1,300–1,400 crore, and advance bookings exceeding ₹143 crore worldwide, this first instalment of a two-part saga has opened to massive expectations.
A Two-Part Epic Begins
Nitesh Tiwari has spoken openly about why the Ramayana could not be told in a single film. At San Diego Comic-Con, he explained that the story follows a linear narrative, and the decision to split it was driven by the story itself. “Ramayana is a linear story, and where we leave off in Part One is something you can call a cliffhanger. Something that will make people want to watch Part Two the moment they leave the theatre,” he said. Part Two is scheduled for release during Diwali 2027, though some trade reports indicate a possible shift to Diwali 2028.
The Story: Two Journeys in Parallel
Ramayana: Part One does not begin with Rama. The film opens with the rise of Ravana, the king of Lanka, whose devotion to Lord Shiva earns him a powerful boon of near-immortality from Brahma. This protection allows him to challenge the cosmic order and establish his dominance, eventually threatening the balance of the universe and paving the way for Vishnu’s seventh avatar, Rama, to take human form.
Rama’s journey unfolds alongside Ravana’s. The prince of Ayodhya grows into a righteous warrior under the guidance of Sage Vishvamitra, defeats the demoness Tataka, and wins Sita’s hand in marriage by lifting Lord Shiva’s sacred bow. As Rama prepares for his coronation, Queen Kaikeyi, influenced by her confidante Manthara, invokes two boons promised to her by King Dasharatha. She demands that her son Bharata be crowned king and that Rama be sent into exile for fourteen years.
Accepting his father’s promise, Rama leaves Ayodhya, accompanied by Sita and his brother Lakshmana. During their forest exile, Lakshmana disfigures Ravana’s sister Shurpanakha after she attempts to harm Sita. Seeking revenge, Shurpanakha urges Ravana to take Sita away. Ravana plots with Maricha, who disguises himself as a golden deer to lure Rama away. With Lakshmana also leaving to help Rama, Ravana disguises himself as a sage and takes Sita to Lanka. The noble demigod Jatayu attempts to rescue her but is gravely wounded by Ravana. Before passing away, Jatayu informs Rama about Sita and Ravana’s direction of escape. Overwhelmed by grief, Rama performs Jatayu’s final rites and vows to rescue Sita and defeat Ravana, beginning his journey towards Lanka.
Yash’s Ravana Steals the Show
The most consistent point of praise across reviews is Yash’s performance as Ravana. The KGF star brings an imposing screen presence to the antagonist, playing him with a mix of arrogance, ambition, and simmering anger. Telegraph India noted that “Yash looks completely at ease in the larger-than-life setting. His expressions, physical presence and command over the screen make Ravana difficult to ignore”. The decision to dub his voice with Sharad Kelkar in the Hindi version is also highlighted as a choice that elevates the impact of his performance.
News18 called Yash “the biggest surprise package” and wrote that “he takes away the limelight with his powerful screen presence and commanding performance. Strong, fierce and convincing, Yash brings the right intensity to Dashanan”. Karan Johar, in his review, described Yash as “so so MESMERISING and POWERFULL” and said that “each and every time you appear on screen you command attention and applause”.
Fan reactions on social media echoed this sentiment. One X user wrote, “Yash was magnetic”. Another posted, “Yash has delivered the greatest portrayal of Ravana till date!”.
Ranbir Kapoor’s Restrained Rama
Ranbir Kapoor approaches Rama with restraint rather than overt heroism. Telegraph India observed that “rather than playing him as an overtly heroic figure, he focuses on the character’s sense of duty”. Times Now noted that Kapoor “brings a quiet sincerity to Rama”. Zoom TV wrote that he “delivers a restrained and sincere portrayal of Rama, emphasizing the character’s inherent dignity and sense of duty, particularly during the exile sequences”.
The performance has drawn some criticism for being too one-note. Outlook India argued that “Ranbir Kapoor’s Ram lacks the character’s expected composure”. News18 stated that “Ranbir Kapoor’s portrayal of Lord Ram is a bit disappointment”. Still, Karan Johar offered strong praise: “Ranbir… to be able to make a country believe in you as a divine force of goodness and humanity without any bells and whistles… takes immeasurable talent and you my dearest friend are a gifted artist and beyond”.
Sai Pallavi Brings Grace to Sita
Sai Pallavi’s Sita is portrayed with grace and inner strength. Zoom TV wrote that she “brings grace and inner strength to the role of Sita, reimagining her as a capable warrior rather than just a companion”. Jio News said that “Sai Pallavi is absolutely fabulous as Sita, and it is her eyes, too, that do most of the talking. The piousness of Sita comes across beautifully to the audience”.
Some critics felt the character was underdeveloped. Outlook India noted that the film “underdevelops Sita”. M9 News wrote that “Sai Pallavi is also alright as Sita. She comes across as simple and understated, without much divine aura”. Karan Johar, however, called her “divine, sublime and so so beautifully convincing”.
The Supporting Cast and Key Moments
Ravie Dubey makes his big-screen debut as Lakshmana and received special mention from News18 as another actor who deserves praise. Sunny Deol appears as Lord Hanuman, but only in a post-credit scene that sets up his role in Part Two.
Arun Govil, who famously played Lord Rama in Ramanand Sagar’s television series, returns to the epic as King Dasharatha. Lara Dutta plays Queen Kaikeyi, whose decision to invoke her boons changes the course of Ayodhya’s royal family. Sheeba Chaddha portrays Manthara, the palace maid whose manipulation triggers the chain of events leading to Rama’s exile. Rakul Preet Singh appears as Shurpanakha, Kunal Kapoor as Lord Indra, and Anupam Kher voices Jatayu.
The Jatayu sequence is singled out by multiple reviewers as a standout moment. Zoom TV called it “both visually spectacular and emotionally resonant”. Times Now listed it among the film’s highlights.
Visuals, Music, and Runtime
The film’s visual scale is its most unanimously praised element. Outlook India wrote that “the VFX is immersive, the scale is considerable and the environments have a sense of grandeur that Indian mythological cinema has often struggled to achieve convincingly”. Pinkvilla called it “one of the most visually magnificent adaptations of the Indian epic” and “one of the grandest portrayals in recent times, not just among epic adaptations but in Indian cinema as a whole”.
The background score, composed by Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman, has also received strong notices. News18 wrote that “the collaboration between AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer works beautifully, adding grandeur, emotion and scale to the film” and that the score “deserves special appreciation for the way it elevates several important sequences”.
The 195-minute runtime has been a point of contention. News18 stated that “at 3 hours and 15 minutes, the film also tests your patience, particularly in its first half”. Outlook India noted that “the screenplay struggles to give its many characters and parallel threads enough emotional depth, making the storytelling feel uneven despite the grandeur on screen”.
The Cliffhanger and Post-Credit Scene
Ramayana: Part One ends with Rama’s roaring promise to end Ravana’s reign and bring Sita back, following Jatayu’s cremation. The post-credit scene shifts to Kishkindha, where Sugriva discovers the jewellery Sita dropped during her journey to Lanka and eventually hands the ornaments to Hanuman. The scene features a Vanara Sena and Hanuman’s larger-than-life entry, with the Hanuman Chalisa playing in the background. Sunny Deol’s face as Hanuman is not revealed; he is heard chanting “Jai Shree Ram” before the scene ends.
Box Office and Reception
Ramayana: Part One closed its advance bookings at approximately ₹143.50 crore worldwide, with roughly an even split between domestic (₹71 crore) and overseas (₹72.50 crore) markets. On its opening day, the film recorded ₹50.08 crore gross in India, with 14.05 lakh tickets sold across 26,615 shows. Early estimates suggest a worldwide opening gross in the ₹140–150 crore range. The film’s reported budget of ₹1,300–1,400 crore means it needs around ₹2,000 crore in worldwide gross to break even, according to trade estimates.
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Where to Watch
Ramayana: Part One is currently playing in theatres worldwide in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and English, including IMAX 3D formats. After its theatrical run, the film will be available on JioHotstar in India through a pay-per-view model, marking the first offering of its kind on the platform.
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