Early reactions to Namit Malhotra’s Ramayana: Rise of a Legend have praised its scale and visual spectacle, with one viewer even comparing it to The Lord of the Rings. The film was screened at an invitation-only premiere in Los Angeles on 27 October.
“The closest comparison is Lord of the Rings, but even that doesn’t compare. It is grand, epic, and Rama’s character is just wow, wow. The cliffhanger is something that people can’t stop talking about,” a viewer who attended the screening wrote on X.
The 3D screening was held at the David Geffen Theater inside the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, which has a seating capacity of 945.
What early viewers are saying
One viewer described the film as an ambitious project mounted on a grand scale, with its technical effort evident on screen. However, the review suggested that the film prioritises spectacle and action over drama and emotion.
“The team largely stays true to the Ramayan, but the film leans more on spectacle and action than drama and emotion,” the review read. The viewer added that omissions in the narration made parts of the film feel “flat and even serial-like at times”.
The reviewer also felt that the second half dragged in places, with lengthy action sequences doing little to heighten the impact. Yash’s portrayal of Ravana, however, was singled out as the film’s biggest highlight.
“Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi are solid as Ram and Sita, though the divine aura and emotional weight don’t always fully translate on screen,” the review added.
Other viewers praised Ranbir Kapoor’s performance as Lord Rama, with some describing it as one of the film’s strongest elements.
“The actor playing Prince Raama (Ranbir Kapoor) is some serious talent, moved to tears! An unforgettable experience,” one viewer wrote.
Another called the film “one of this year’s most immersive cinematic experiences”, adding that Ranbir was “sublime” and Yash “magnetic”.
A third viewer said scenes featuring Ranbir as Rama prompted whistles and cheers from the audience, though they felt the film would have had a greater impact in Hindi.
English and Hindi versions reportedly differ
The film’s English-language version is reportedly around 30 minutes shorter than its Indian-language version, with some songs and scenes removed. The difference is also reflected in the trailers: the English trailer runs for approximately two minutes and 40 seconds, while the Hindi trailer runs for nearly four minutes and nine seconds.
The reactions so far offer an early glimpse of audience responses, rather than a definitive verdict on the film. The full theatrical release will bring a wider audience to the two-part adaptation.
A global release planned
The first part of Ramayana is scheduled to release in theatres on 6 November, while the second instalment is planned for 2028.
The film is also targeting a wide international release. According to an Outlook report, Sony Pictures plans to distribute it across more than 50,000 screens outside India. The film is expected to release across around 9,000 screens domestically, potentially taking its worldwide theatrical footprint to more than 59,000 screens.
The overseas rollout is expected to cover markets across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Australia and Southeast Asia.
(Edited By Raunaq Lekhi)