Ramayana X Review: Yash's Ravana steals the show with powerful screen presence, while Ranbir Kapoor's Lord Rama is called 'painfully dull' by disappointed viewers
The much-anticipated first part of Nitesh Tiwari's big-budget mythological epic Ramayana has ignited a fierce debate on social media following its release, with early X (formerly Twitter) reviews painting a sharply divided picture of the film's performances. While Kannada superstar Yash's portrayal of the demon king Ravana has emerged as the overwhelming crowd favourite, Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor's interpretation of Lord Rama is facing sustained criticism from a section of viewers who have described the performance as painfully dull. The film, which brings one of India's most revered epics to the big screen with an estimated budget running into hundreds of crores, opened to massive expectations and packed houses, but the online conversation in the hours since has been dominated by this stark contrast in reception between its two lead antagonists and protagonists. Audiences have flooded the platform with reactions praising the visual spectacle and production values while questioning the emotional heft of the central portrayal of Rama.
The Ramayana project has been among the most closely watched Indian film endeavours in recent years, announced as a multi-part retelling of Valmiki's epic with a star-studded ensemble and a commitment to cutting-edge visual effects. Nitesh Tiwari, known for grounded dramas such as Dangal and Chhichhore, took on the challenge of mounting a mythological spectacle on a scale rarely attempted in Hindi cinema, with the film positioned as a pan-Indian event release across multiple languages. The casting itself generated enormous curiosity, particularly the decision to cast Yash, riding high on the pan-India success of the KGF franchise, as Ravana, and Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama. The project has been in production for an extended period, with secrecy surrounding its look and treatment adding to the anticipation ahead of its release.
According to the wave of viewer reactions circulating online, Yash's entry as Ravana has been widely described as the film's standout moment, with audiences applauding his commanding screen presence, voice modulation and the imposing aura he brings to the role. The VFX and world-building have also drawn considerable praise, with many posters calling the visuals a significant leap forward for Indian mythological cinema and highlighting the scale of the battle sequences and the depiction of Lanka. Rakul Preet Singh's turn as Surpanakha has similarly found favour with viewers, who have described her performance as a pleasant surprise and a memorable supporting act. On the other hand, a vocal contingent of disappointed viewers has argued that Kapoor's Lord Rama lacks the gravitas and emotional resonance expected of the character, with the phrase painfully dull trending prominently among critical reactions.
These reactions carry significant implications for the film's box office trajectory and the broader Ramayana franchise, given that the first part serves as the foundation for a planned multi-part saga. While the polarised response to the lead performance could affect word-of-mouth in the coming days, the strong reception for Yash and the technical aspects may help sustain footfalls, particularly among fans of the actor and viewers drawn by the spectacle. The debate also raises questions about the enormous pressure on actors stepping into roles rooted in faith and cultural devotion, where audience expectations extend well beyond cinematic craft. Trade observers will be watching closely to see whether the initial social media storm translates into sustained theatrical business or shapes the narrative around the sequels already in development.
This reception fits into a larger trend of pan-Indian mythological and period spectacles that have dominated the box office in recent years, following the runaway success of films such as the Baahubali series, RRR and the Adipurush adaptation of the same epic, which itself drew intense scrutiny and controversy over its depiction of revered figures. The Ramayana has become a particularly sensitive subject in Indian popular culture, with任何 cinematic interpretation inviting comparisons to televised adaptations that have attained near-scriptural status in public memory. Studios are increasingly betting on star-driven, VFX-heavy retellings of epics to draw audiences across language markets, and the performance of this film will be viewed as a bellwether for several similar projects in the pipeline. The online reception also underscores how social media discourse now shapes the early narrative around major releases, often within hours of the first shows.
Historically, adaptations of the Ramayana have occupied a unique place in Indian entertainment, from the landmark Doordarshan serial of the late 1980s that emptied streets during its broadcast, to Ramanand Sagar's enduring cultural footprint and subsequent animated and live-action retellings. Past big-screen attempts have shown that audiences are unforgiving when depictions deviate from deeply held expectations, as seen in the backlash against certain portrayals in earlier mythological films. The comparison with previous spectacles also highlights how technical ambition has grown, with Indian filmmakers now competing with global standards in VFX while navigating the sensitivities of portraying figures of faith. The current debate echoes earlier cycles where a villain's charisma overshadowed the hero, a dynamic that has occasionally reshaped how such stories are received.
Attention now turns to the film's opening weekend performance and whether the mixed word-of-mouth around the lead role will stabilise or intensify as wider audiences weigh in. The makers are expected to monitor the discourse closely, and the reception of this first part will directly influence planning, marketing and creative decisions for the already-announced subsequent instalments. For Yash, the acclaim reinforces his pan-India standing ahead of his other projects, while for Kapoor, the scrutiny represents a significant test in a career phase marked by ambitious choices. Industry watchers will also assess whether the film's VFX-driven spectacle sets a new benchmark that rival mythological projects will be measured against. Ultimately, the coming days will reveal whether the Ramayana's box office journey outpaces its polarised social media reception.
