Road to dictatorship: Writer Apurva Asrani slams Yash's Ramayana VFX remarks

Screenwriter Apurva Asrani criticised Yash's appeal for audiences to support Ramayana and avoid nitpicking its visual effects. He linked the remarks to wider concerns about dissent and free expression.

In Short

• Apurva Asrani criticised Yash for asking fans not to nitpick Ramayana VFX
• Apurva called Yash's remarks a sign of dictatorship in India
• He linked concerns to arrest of Cockroach Janta Party leaders in Tihar Jail

Screenwriter Apurva Asrani has criticised actor Yash for asking audiences to support Ramayana and refrain from nitpicking its visual effects, calling his remarks a sign of dictatorship. The film, which stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama and Yash as Ravana, is among the most anticipated Indian releases.

Sharing a post on X, Apurva expressed concern over what he described as India’s slide towards dictatorship. In his pointed post, he sarcastically suggested that people could face punishment for disliking the film, questioning government policies or expressing dissent.

“I won’t be surprised if they throw us in friggin’ Tihar Jail for disliking the new Ramayana, refusing to bang a thali to solve the oil crisis, or daring to eat a chicken burger on a Tuesday. Maybe even for switching off the TV during the supreme leader’s speech (sic),” he wrote.

Apurva went on to link his concerns to the arrest of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, who have been held at Delhi’s Tihar Jail over allegations of trespassing and entering the Jantar Mantar protest site after it was removed from the list of authorised demonstration venues.

“That’s how far down the road to dictatorship India is sliding. Watching how Saurav & Ashutosh are being treated, it is sad to see how the Constitution of India has been reduced to a mockery. Raise your voice now, before even a joke, a question or the slightest disagreement becomes grounds for state retaliation,” Apurva added.

What Yash said

Yash’s comments came at a recent Ramayana pre-release event in Hyderabad, where he urged audiences to support the film rather than focus on picking apart its visual effects. He also called on Indians to support producer Namit Malhotra, saying the filmmaker was working to take Indian cinema to a global platform.

“Anybody can dream of making a movie, but only a few people will have that kind of passion, dedication, determination and madness. As an Indian, I am telling you, we need to protect this guy. It's our responsibility because this man was comfortably doing business in LA,” Yash said.

Recalling his conversations with Malhotra, Yash added that the producer had consistently spoken about wanting to elevate Indian cinema on the world stage.

“Every time I met him, he always spoke about one thing: ‘We all are doing so much and Indians have done so much, but we should do something for our Indian film industry and I want to do it. I am getting Oscars, but I am not happy. I want our country to be placed at that level and that's the day I am going to be happy.’ This is what he told me,” Yash said.

About Ramayana

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana: Part One stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Raavan. Sunny Deol plays Hanuman, while Ravi Dubey portrays Lakshman.

Produced by Namit Malhotra, the film is planned as the first instalment of a two-part epic based on the Indian mythological tale. Oscar-winning visual effects company DNEG is handling the film’s VFX, while Hans Zimmer and AR Rahman are associated with its music.

Ramayana: Part One is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on November 5, 2026.

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