Ramayana trailer reactions: Yash wins praise, Ranbir Kapoor divides opinion as fans ask, ‘Where is Sunny Deol’s Hanuman?’

The official trailer of Ramayana, director Nitesh Tiwari’s ambitious adaptation of the Indian epic, was unveiled at 4:15 am during brahma muhurat, offering the first extended look at Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Ravi Dubey as Lakshman and Yash as Ravana.

Trailer focuses on emotion over spectacle

The trailer opens with Ravana arriving at a grand palace and declaring the dawn of “Ravana Raaj” after overpowering those who oppose him. As darkness spreads, Lord Vishnu is reborn as Prince Rama, son of Ayodhya’s King Dasharatha, played by Arun Govil.

It traces Rama’s journey as he defeats demons alongside Lakshman before shifting to the pivotal exile sequence, where Queen Kaikeyi’s demand forces Rama to spend 14 years in the forest. Sita insists on accompanying him, setting the stage for the epic conflict.

Unlike the earlier teaser, the trailer concentrates on the kingdoms of Ayodhya and Lanka, highlighting lavish production design, emotional storytelling and refined visual effects while largely avoiding mythical creatures. Notably, it does not feature Lord Hanuman, suggesting the character may be reserved for the film’s second installment.

Fans praise visuals and cinematic scale

The trailer received widespread praise on social media, with many calling it one of the grandest spectacles in Indian cinema. Several users applauded its upgraded VFX, rich colour grading, epic background score and ambitious scale, describing it as “absolute cinema” and “a statement from Indian cinema.”

Some viewers remain unconvinced

Despite the positive response, some fans felt the visuals did not fully justify the film’s reported massive budget. Others praised the creature designs, music and costumes but pointed out that certain scenes still appeared overly dependent on green-screen effects, saying they remained cautiously optimistic.

Ranbir Kapoor divides opinion, Yash steals the show

Ranbir Kapoor’s restrained portrayal of Lord Rama sparked mixed reactions. Supporters praised his calm, dignified interpretation, arguing that Rama embodies grace and restraint rather than aggression. Critics, however, questioned his dialogue delivery and felt his performance lacked the gravitas expected from the role.

Yash’s brief appearance as Ravana emerged as one of the trailer’s biggest talking points. Fans hailed his commanding screen presence, with many calling him perfectly cast and predicting his portrayal would become one of the film’s defining highlights.

Improved VFX wins appreciation

Many viewers noted that the makers appeared to have addressed concerns raised after the first glimpse released earlier this year. The upgraded visual effects, particularly the Airavata sequence, creature designs and overall colour grading, drew praise for adding greater realism and depth.

Hanuman’s absence sparks curiosity

One of the trailer’s biggest surprises was the absence of Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman. Fans expressed disappointment that neither Hanuman nor the Vanara Sena featured in the footage, fuelling speculation that the filmmakers are saving the reveal for a later promotional campaign or the second film.

Music, VFX and release

The film’s score brings together Oscar winners A. R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer, while DNEG is handling the visual effects. Music rights for both parts have reportedly been acquired by T-Series in a record ₹75 crore deal with Prime Focus Studios.

Following an earlier preview at the Pratham Sankalp event in New Delhi and a showcase at San Diego Comic-Con 2026, Ramayana: Part One is set for a worldwide release on November 8, coinciding with Diwali, while the second installment is scheduled to arrive in 2027.