Ramayana First Reactions: Ranbir Kapoor, Yash Praised; Film Compared to The Lord of the Rings

The first audience reactions to Nitesh Tiwari’s much-anticipated Ramayana have begun emerging following a special premiere in Los Angeles, with viewers praising the performances of Ranbir Kapoor and Yash, the film’s grand visuals and its ambitious cinematic scale.

Some viewers have even compared the experience to watching The Lord of the Rings for the first time. However, early feedback has also raised questions about the storytelling, music and emotional depth.

The special screening took place on October 27 at the David Geffen Theatre at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles. The film, internationally presented as Ramayana: Rise of a Legend, stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana. The first reactions have generated considerable discussion online ahead of the film’s scheduled worldwide theatrical release on November 5, 2026.

Ranbir Kapoor and Yash emerge as early highlights

Ranbir Kapoor’s portrayal of Lord Rama has received praise for its restraint, emotional subtlety and calm screen presence. Several viewers have highlighted his ability to convey the character’s dignity without relying on exaggerated expressions or dialogue.

Yash, meanwhile, has emerged as a major talking point for his portrayal of Ravana. Early reactions have praised his commanding screen presence, intense expressions and powerful introduction sequences.

One enthusiastic viewer described the film as a spectacular cinematic experience, calling Ranbir “sublime” and Yash “magnetic”. The reaction also praised the film’s visuals, music, dance and action sequences.

Sai Pallavi’s portrayal of Sita has also received positive mentions, although some early viewers felt that the film did not consistently translate the characters’ spiritual significance and emotional depth onto the screen.

Why viewers are comparing Ramayana to The Lord of the Rings

One of the most notable reactions came from a viewer who compared the film’s epic presentation to the experience of watching the first The Lord of the Rings movie in 2001.

The viewer described Ramayana as unlike anything else in the cinematic landscape, praising its grand scale, distinctive portrayal of Rama and the dramatic cliffhanger at the end. The reaction suggested that the film’s ambition could appeal to audiences familiar with large-scale international fantasy and adventure productions.

The comparison is significant because The Lord of the Rings is widely associated with expansive world-building, large-scale battles and immersive visual storytelling. Early reactions suggest that Ramayana is attempting a similarly ambitious cinematic presentation while drawing on one of India’s most culturally significant epics.

However, the comparison reflects individual audience impressions rather than a consensus that the two films are equivalent in storytelling or execution.

Grand visuals draw praise, but storytelling receives mixed feedback

The film’s production scale and visual effects have attracted considerable attention. Several viewers have praised its large action sequences, elaborate settings and immersive presentation.

Yet the initial response has not been uniformly positive. Some viewers have criticised sections of the screenplay for moving slowly, with lengthy action sequences reportedly affecting the narrative momentum. Others have pointed to noticeable green-screen effects and visual inconsistencies in certain scenes.

The background score and music have also drawn mixed reactions. While some viewers appreciated the overall sound and spectacle, others felt the music did not consistently deliver the spiritual atmosphere and emotional intensity expected from a story of this scale.

These contrasting responses suggest that the film’s technical ambition may be one of its strongest talking points, even as questions remain about how effectively the spectacle serves the story.

Dramatic ending raises expectations for Part Two

The film’s ending has emerged as another talking point among early viewers. One audience member described the cliffhanger as so effective that it prompted an immediate vocal reaction when the screening concluded.

The response has fuelled curiosity about how the story will continue in the second instalment. For a narrative as familiar as the Ramayana, maintaining suspense while preserving the emotional and cultural significance of the original epic will be a key challenge.

When will Ramayana release?

The first instalment of Ramayana: Rise of a Legend, directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra, is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on November 5, 2026. The film features Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi and Yash in the lead roles, alongside Sunny Deol and other supporting cast members.

The full critical response remains to be seen, as the initial reactions are based on a special screening and do not represent a comprehensive review consensus.

For now, the early verdict is mixed but intriguing: Ranbir Kapoor and Yash are attracting praise for their performances, the film’s scale is drawing comparisons with The Lord of the Rings, and its visual ambition is generating excitement. Whether the final film can match that spectacle with equally compelling storytelling and emotional depth will become clearer when it reaches cinemas.