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Ramayana Review: Ranbir Kapoor’s Grace as Rama and Yash’s Power as Ravana Steal the Show
Source: Bollyy|
8 min read
The mention of Diwali instantly brings to mind the story of Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya. According to popular belief, after completing 14 years of exile and defeating Ravana, Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya with Mata Sita and Lakshman. To welcome them, the entire city was decorated with lamps. This is why Diwali is deeply connected with the story of Ramayana and Indian culture. Keeping this tradition and the epic tale of Ramayana in mind, director Nitesh Tiwari has brought the story to the big screen in a grand way this Diwali. Made on an estimated total budget of around Rs 4,000 crore, the first part of Ramayana has been released in theatres this week. Ranbir Kapoor plays Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi portrays Mata Sita, and Yash appears as Ravana. Through grand sets, impressive cinematography, VFX, and action sequences, the makers have tried to present the epic in a new cinematic style, and they have largely succeeded. Ranbir Kapoor Brings Lord Rama to Life with His Performance Playing Lord Rama is not an easy task for any actor, as audiences already have a certain image of him in their minds. This makes the responsibility of the actor playing the role even greater. Ranbir, however, handles the character with confidence. He brings out Lord Rama’s calm, gentle and compassionate nature on screen. His facial expressions and the composure in his eyes work particularly well in several scenes. His performance stands out when he finds himself caught between family and duty. The conversation between Rama and Kaikeyi before his exile is one of the film’s important emotional moments. Rama’s calm response and his decision to leave for the forest to honour his father’s promise reflect his sense of duty and values. Ranbir effectively portrays his patience and self-control in this sequence. Ranbir Kapoor has already proved his acting skills in films like Rockstar, Tamasha and Wake Up Sid. However, playing Lord Rama is a completely different and challenging phase in his career. His emotional scenes after Sita’s abduction and his grief following Jatayu’s death reveal another side of his performance. He is not only seen as Maryada Purushottam Rama but also as a husband deeply hurt by his wife’s separation. Ranbir Continues His Family Legacy It is worth mentioning that the Kapoor family has a long association with Ramayana in Indian cinema. Ranbir’s great-grandfather, Prithviraj Kapoor, played Lord Rama in Debaki Bose’s 1934 Bengali film Sita. Now, carrying forward that legacy, Ranbir has taken on the role of Rama. Through his performance, he shows that he is not just carrying forward the Kapoor family legacy but is also capable of creating his own identity through hard work and talent. Yash’s Ravana Reflects Strength, Intelligence and Ego Yash leaves a strong impression as Ravana in the film. His powerful look, deep voice, and dialogue delivery make the character stand out. He presents Ravana not just as a villain but as a powerful king known for his knowledge, pride, and strength. The scene featuring his ten heads is particularly grand, as Ravana appears to communicate with his own heads. Yash’s action and screen presence in the battle sequences are also worth watching. Although his style sometimes resembles that of a modern action hero, his performance makes Ravana an impactful character. Sharad Kelkar’s powerful voice in the Hindi version further adds to the character’s authority and seriousness. Sai Pallavi Makes an Impression as Sita Sai Pallavi impresses with her simplicity and natural acting as Mata Sita. Her facial expressions and the way she conveys emotions through her eyes make the character feel natural. The film presents Sita not only as a calm and self-sacrificing woman but also highlights her courage and strength. In one scene, Sita enters the battlefield to support Lord Rama and defeats 14,000 demons. This episode brings out her brave side. Sai Pallavi maintains the simplicity of the character beautifully. However, scenes featuring conversations between Ranbir and Sai Pallavi are limited. Ravi Dubey Makes His Mark as Lakshman Ravi Dubey effectively portrays Lakshman’s love for his brother, his dedication, and his anger. Accompanying Rama into exile and standing by him through every difficulty are important aspects of the character. Ravi’s expressions and dialogue delivery work well. His chemistry with Ranbir Kapoor is also good on screen. Along with his acting, Ravi impresses with his screen presence. Supporting Cast Adds Strength to the Story Arun Govil’s presence as King Dasharath is special. Having earlier played Lord Rama in the popular television series Ramayan, he now appears as Rama’s father. His gentle personality works well on screen. Although his dialogues are limited, he makes an impression through his expressions and performance. Rakul Preet Singh as Shurpanakha, Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi, and Sheeba Chaddha as Manthara also perform well in their respective roles. Kunal Kapoor as Indra and Vivek Oberoi as Vidyutjihva leave their mark too. The fight sequence between Vidyutjihva and Ravana is particularly impressive. Vivek Oberoi’s expressions in this scene stand out, making his character impactful. Although these actors have limited screen time, each of them does justice to their respective roles. Anupam Kher has also lent his voice to Jatayu, adding an emotional touch to the story. The battle between Ravana and Jatayu is quite impressive. Meanwhile, Jatayu’s conversation with Lord Rama during his final moments is deeply moving. Grand VFX, Cinematography and Action One of the biggest strengths of Ramayana is its technical presentation. Ayodhya, Lanka, forests and battlefields have been presented on a grand scale. The elaborate sets, graphics, and VFX give the story a larger-than-life cinematic feel. The battle between gods and demons, Lord Vishnu’s appearance in the depths of the ocean, Lord Indra’s Airavata, and Ravana’s penance are among the scenes that catch the eye. The cinematography is impressive, and several scenes are beautifully captured. The battle sequences, chariots, weapons, and action scenes add to the film’s grandeur. The fight between Jatayu and Ravana is also impactful. Its grand visual presentation is one of the reasons to watch the film on the big screen. The film also has several emotional moments, including Rama’s exile, Jatayu’s death, and Rama’s grief after Sita’s abduction. These scenes connect the audience with the story, but some of them could have explored the emotions in greater depth. A little more time given to these moments could have helped audiences connect better with the characters’ pain and feelings. How Is the Music? The music of the film has been composed by A.R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer, while the songs have been penned by Dr Kumar Vishwas. The film’s soundtrack includes songs like Jai Jai Ram, Judi Jodi, Main Ram and Siya Ram. Among these, Judi Jodi, picturised on Rama and Sita’s wedding, stands out. However, overall, the music does not leave as strong an impression as one might have expected. Hanuman and Meghnad’s Glimpse Builds Excitement Towards the end, a post-credit scene offers a glimpse of the next part. Sunny Deol appears as Lord Hanuman. Although his face is not fully revealed, his powerful voice chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’ builds excitement for the next instalment. Raghav Juyal also makes a brief appearance as Meghnad. Overall, Ramayana is a grand and ambitious film. Its impressive VFX, action, cinematography, and performances are its biggest strengths. Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, Sai Pallavi and Ravi Dubey, along with the rest of the cast, have put in sincere efforts to bring their characters to life. Every actor fits their role, and it is difficult to point out flaws in anyone’s performance. Together, they make the story engaging on screen. For audiences who have been waiting for this film for a long time, the wait proves worthwhile to a great extent. The film is suitable for viewers of all age groups. Children can enjoy its impressive graphics and battle sequences while also learning about the story of the Ramayana and Indian culture. For adults, it offers an opportunity to reconnect with their cultural heritage on the big screen. FAQs 1. How Is Ranbir Kapoor’s Performance as Lord Rama in Ramayana? Ranbir Kapoor brings grace, dignity and restraint to Lord Rama, portraying the character with sincerity and emotional depth. 2. How Does Yash Perform as Ravana in Ramayana? Yash delivers a powerful performance as Ravana, impressing audiences with his commanding screen presence, intensity, and menacing personality. 3. Who Plays Sita Alongside Ranbir Kapoor in Ramayana? Sai Pallavi plays Goddess Sita opposite Ranbir Kapoor's Lord Rama, bringing grace, innocence and emotional warmth to the character. 4. Who Directed Ramayana and What Is the Film About? Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana: Part 1 explores Lord Rama's journey, his relationship with Sita, and Ravana's rise to power. 5. What Makes Ramayana: Part 1 Worth Watching in Theatres? Ramayana stands out for its grand visuals, spectacular action sequences, powerful performances, and music composed by AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer. Tags : Ranbir Kapoor Career | Ranbir Kapoor Biography | Ranbir Kapoor Achievements | Ramayana Film Cast Yash | ramayana full movie | Ramayana film 2026 update | Ramayana cast and story