Ramayana: Rise of a Legend arrived in theatres on November 5, 2026, and the responses are pouring in from every corner of the Indian film industry. The latest voice to join the conversation is Tamil filmmaker Shankar, the director behind films like Enthiran, 2.0, and Indian 2. After watching Nitesh Tiwari‘s big-screen adaptation of the epic, Shankar shared a detailed review on his official X account. He had high praise for the film’s visual scale and technical craft, but one part of his post stood out above everything else: his reaction to Yash as Ravana.
Shankar did not just call Yash’s performance good. He described the Kannada star’s take on the mythological antagonist as a “lovable villain,” a phrase that has now travelled across social media and entertainment outlets. The comment matters because Shankar is known for his own larger-than-life filmmaking, and his words carry weight with audiences who look to seasoned directors for an honest take.
What Shankar Wrote About the Film
Shankar posted his thoughts on X in a single, detailed message that covered almost every part of the filmmaking process. His opening line set the tone: a direct reaction to the size and look of the film.
“#Ramayana – What a spectacle!!! Never seen visuals like this in Indian cinema.”
He went on to credit producer Namit Malhotra and director Nitesh Tiwari for pushing Indian filmmaking onto a global stage. Shankar specifically named the film’s visual effects, its production design, and its overall look and sound as standout elements. He also gave a nod to the music, composed by A.R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer, calling the sound “massive.”
The review did not stop at the technical side. Shankar made sure to mention the lead cast as well, sending his best wishes to Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi. But the sentence that has drawn the most attention is the one reserved for Yash.
“It’s a delight to watch @TheNameIsYash in every frame. He is such a lovable villain and has delivered a quality performance.”
That single line has become the headline of Shankar’s review across multiple news reports. The phrase “lovable villain” is unusual for a character like Ravana, who is traditionally seen as the antagonist of the Ramayana. Shankar’s choice of words suggests that Yash’s portrayal brings a layer of charm or relatability to the role that goes beyond a straightforward villainous turn.
Why the ‘Lovable Villain’ Label Matters
Ravana is one of the most complex figures in the Ramayana. He is the king of Lanka, a scholar, a devotee of Lord Shiva, and the man who abducts Sita, setting the stage for the central conflict of the epic. Playing such a character requires a balance between menace and magnetism. Shankar’s comment points directly at that balance.
The director’s wording does not water down the character’s actions. Instead, it highlights the performance quality. A “lovable villain” in this context suggests that Yash has managed to make the audience feel something for Ravana beyond simple dislike. That is a difficult thing to achieve in a mythological film where the lines between good and evil are usually drawn very clearly.
Shankar is not the only filmmaker to single out Yash’s performance. SS Rajamouli also shared his review of the film on November 5, and his words took a slightly different angle. Rajamouli described Yash as bringing a “menacing presence” to the role of Ravana, while also praising Sai Pallavi’s grace as Sita and Ranbir Kapoor’s work as Rama. The contrast between Rajamouli’s “menacing” and Shankar’s “lovable” is interesting. It shows that Yash’s performance is landing differently with different viewers, which is often a sign of a layered portrayal.
Nitesh Tiwari Responds to the Review
Director Nitesh Tiwari did not let Shankar’s post go unnoticed. He replied to the review on X with folded-hands emojis and a short, gracious message.
“Thanks a lot sir.”
The exchange between the two directors adds a layer of industry respect to the conversation. Shankar’s review is not a casual viewer’s reaction; it comes from a filmmaker who has spent decades building worlds on screen. Tiwari’s acknowledgment shows that the appreciation was received in the spirit it was offered.
The Film at a Glance: Cast, Story, and Scale
Ramayana: Rise of a Legend is the first part of a planned two-film adaptation. The movie draws from sage Valmiki’s Ramayana and the 16th-century devotional epic Ramcharitmanas by Goswami Tulsidas. The first instalment focuses on Ravana’s backstory, Ram’s childhood and marriage to Sita, the circumstances of his 14-year exile, and the events leading up to Sita’s abduction after a clash with Jatayu.
The cast list is long and packed with familiar names. Ranbir Kapoor plays Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi plays Sita, and Yash takes on the role of Ravana. Ravi Dubey appears as Lakshman, and Sunny Deol makes a post-credits appearance as Hanuman, setting up his larger role in the second part. The supporting cast includes Arun Govil as Dasharatha, Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi, Rakul Preet Singh as Surpanakha, Kajal Aggarwal as Mandodari, Shobana as Kaikashi, and Anupam Kher as the voice of Jatayu.
The film released worldwide on November 5, 2026, in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam. It arrived in theatres in multiple formats, including 2D, 3D, and IMAX 3D, timed around the Diwali weekend. A second part is scheduled for a 2028 release.
Box Office Numbers Tell a Strong Opening Story
The film has made a significant mark at the ticket window in its first two days. According to figures reported by multiple outlets, Ramayana collected ₹112.90 crore net in India and ₹221.05 crore worldwide within its first two days of release.
On its opening day alone, the film earned ₹64.85 crore net in India across all languages from around 25,200 shows. The Kannada version, which features Yash in a lead role, contributed ₹7.25 crore, while the Telugu version added ₹6 crore. The worldwide opening day gross was reported at ₹127.5 crore.
These numbers place the film among the bigger openers of the year, even though reviews have been mixed. The strong start suggests that the combination of a well-known epic, a star-studded cast, and a massive release scale has drawn audiences into theatres.
A Director’s Review That Adds to the Conversation
Shankar’s review is not the first reaction from a major filmmaker, and it likely will not be the last. SS Rajamouli shared his thoughts on November 5, calling the film “spectacular to watch” and praising the lead performances. His note about Yash’s “menacing presence” and Ranbir’s “serene yet magnificent” Rama gave audiences another way to look at the film. Filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga also shared his appreciation for the film’s scale and execution, according to reports.
What makes Shankar’s review stand out is the specific language he used for Yash. The phrase “lovable villain” has a warmth to it that is rare in reviews of mythological antagonists. It suggests that Yash’s performance has a pull that goes beyond fear or intimidation. For audiences who have followed Yash’s career from the KGF films, where he played the fiercely intense Rocky, seeing him step into the role of Ravana was already a point of curiosity. Shankar’s comment adds to that curiosity by hinting that the performance has a charm that might surprise viewers.
What This Means for the Film’s Run
The first two days have given Ramayana: Rise of a Legend a strong foundation at the box office. The mixed reviews have not stopped audiences from showing up in large numbers, and the support from established directors like Shankar and Rajamouli adds a layer of credibility to the film’s reception. The film’s ability to draw viewers across multiple languages, from Hindi to Kannada to Telugu, is another sign that the story and the cast have a wide reach.
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The second part of the adaptation is already set for 2028, and the post-credits tease of Sunny Deol as Hanuman has given viewers something to look forward to in the next chapter. For now, the conversation around the film continues to grow, with Shankar’s review adding a notable voice to the mix.
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