Ramayana: Rise of a Legend review: A breathtaking epic that soars, led by Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, and Yash
Reel Perspectives
November 3, 2026
Ramayana: Rise of a Legend has enormous expectations to meet, yet its sheer beauty still manages to surprise. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, part 1 brings together sweeping cinematography, extraordinary visual effects, and a love story that makes the spectacle worth caring about. The epic scale is absolutely staggering enough to leave audiences in awe, but the film gives you reasons to stay invested beyond its gorgeous imagery. It’s an ambitious, thoroughly absorbing experience that deserves the biggest screen available.
Ranbir Kapoor stars as Rama alongside Sai Pallavi as Sita, whose love is tested by duty, sacrifice, and the threat of Ravana, the powerful king of Lanka. Indian superstar Yash commands the screen as Ravana, bringing an intensity that elevates the other characters. Even surrounded by the film's astounding visual effects, his presence is impossible to overlook. Together, these Indian stars give the film the emotional pull needed to make a production this massive work to keep viewers invested.
Rooted in ancient Sanskrit literature, the Ramayana holds deep significance within Hindu traditions, inspiring generations of storytelling, worship, art, and performance. Its themes of love, devotion, and responsibility help explain why these characters remain so cherished. With multiple versions passed down through families, communities, and generations, Hindi audiences bring deep personal connections to this story, making the care behind its adaptation especially important.
That care comes through in the filmmaking. Tiwari and producer Namit Malhotra approach the material with an evident respect for its spiritual significance. The attention to faith and devotion gives the story weight, even for someone still learning its deeper history. Viewers familiar with the epic will bring their own perspectives on its interpretation, while newcomers have an inviting way into the story. Its emotional appeal doesn’t depend on knowing every tradition beforehand.
The visual effects are easily among the film’s greatest achievements. Lush landscapes, glorious colors, and sweeping compositions create a world that feels extraordinary without constantly drawing attention to how it was made. The work from DNEG and ReDefine blends beautifully with the cinematography, allowing audiences to get caught up in the story. The visual effects will exceed expectations. There is so much to admire on screen, and the imagery repeatedly delivers the sense of wonder that a film of this ambition promises.
The craftsmanship reflects years of painstaking development. Tiwari has described the Ravana–Jatayu battle as taking six and a half years to develop, from its initial briefing to the final frame. That commitment shows in the finished sequence and helps explain why the spectacle feels so carefully considered. The scale is impressive, but the attention to detail makes it memorable.
Rama and Sita’s relationship gives the film its emotional foundation, though more time with them together would have made their love story even more moving. A few additional moments to develop their bond would help audiences fully appreciate what they mean to each other; however, Kapoor and Pallavi bring warmth and sincerity to their performances, making their bond worth following even amid the larger conflict. Their tenderness gives the danger weight, while Yash’s formidable Ravana adds tension that leaves plenty to anticipate in part 2. The performances hold their own alongside the visuals, keeping the characters at the center of the experience.
Comparisons to The Lord of the Rings or The Odyssey are understandable, particularly in the sweeping landscapes, mythic conflict, and ambition of the filmmaking, but Ramayana has a powerful identity rooted in the Hindu traditions and spiritual beliefs that shape its story. For international audiences, experiencing that cultural richness is part of what makes the film so compelling.
Viewers who grew up with the Ramayana will understandably look closely at its choices and interpretation. Those arriving with less familiarity can still connect with its love story, sacrifices, and questions of responsibility. Part 1 entertains on a massive scale while encouraging a deeper interest in the story behind it.
Ramayana: Rise of a Legend is an exhilarating showcase for Indian cinema and one of the most memorable films of the decade. Its breathtaking imagery earns the attention, but its performances and sweeping love story make the experience linger.
See it in a theater when it opens November 5 to fully appreciate what this production has accomplished. With part 2 announced for Diwali 2027, part 1 gives audiences plenty of reason to be excited about what comes next.
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