Ramayana X review: Ranbir-Yash deliver an epic spectacle, say viewers

Early viewers on X have praised Ramayana's scale, visual effects, music and lead performances. Mixed reactions to its emotional depth have heightened expectations for Hanuman's role in the sequel.

In Short

• Early viewers praise the film's visual effects, scale, music and production
• Ranbir Kapoor's portrayal reportedly impressed some critics of his initial casting
• Yash earns acclaim for Ravana, especially during the striking Jatayu sequence

The first audience reactions to Ramayana are in, and viewers on X have largely praised the film for its scale, visual effects, performances and music. While Ranbir Kapoor's portrayal of Lord Rama and Yash's portrayal as Ravana have emerged as major talking points, some viewers felt the emotional connect between Rama and Sita could have been stronger.

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the film has been described by several early viewers as an ambitious theatrical experience. One X user called it an "epic" that lived up to expectations, praising its visual effects, scale, emotions and performances. The user also applauded Ranbir, Yash, Sai Pallavi and Ravie Dubey for their work.

Another viewer, who watched the Hindi version, described it as a "cinematic experience and visual mastery". The user praised the presentation of the familiar story, the performances, the background score and the film's production quality, adding that it had a Hollywood-like scale.

Ranbir's casting as Lord Rama had been debated even before the film's release. However, some viewers believe his performance has made a strong impression. One X user said the actor's portrayal would silence those who had questioned his casting, while also praising Sai Pallavi as Sita and the performances of the rest of the cast.

Yash's portrayal of Ravana has also received considerable appreciation. One viewer called him "beyond imagination" in the role, while another described his performance as a standout, particularly in the Jatayu sequence. The action scenes and the visual effects in that portion also found praise.

The film's music and background score have been another highlight for audiences. One viewer singled out Hans Zimmer's score, calling it among his best work in recent years and recommending the film in IMAX. The user described Ramayana as the kind of spectacle that makes people go to cinemas, although they felt its runtime of around three hours and 15 minutes made parts of it drag.

Not all reactions were entirely positive. One viewer felt that while Ranbir and Sai Pallavi delivered good performances, the relationship between Rama and Sita lacked the emotional depth expected from the story. The user called the film a decent watch but expressed hope that the second part would deliver a stronger impact, particularly with the introduction of Hanuman.

The Jatayu sequence, however, appears to have left a lasting impression on several viewers. One audience member said the film was heading towards a rating of 3.75 to four out of five stars before its final stretch moved them to tears, prompting a higher rating of 4.25. The viewer also praised the CGI and called the Jatayu portion a favourite.

Another early reaction described the film as a "groundbreaking, generational epic", praising its scale, vision and execution. The user also called Ranbir and Yash phenomenal in their respective roles.

One viewer was equally impressed with the film, praising its visual effects, battle sequences and performances. The user admitted that they were initially unsure about Ranbir's portrayal of Rama but grew to like his character as the story progressed. Yash, however, won them over from his very first appearance. The viewer also praised Sai Pallavi, Ravi Dubey and the rest of the cast, adding that the film kept them engaged throughout its runtime. They rated it 9.2 out of 10.

While the early reactions are largely encouraging, some viewers have pointed out areas where the film could have made a stronger emotional impact. The response to the first part has also raised expectations for the sequel, with audiences particularly looking forward to seeing Lord Hanuman's role unfold. Sunny Deol is playing Lord Hanuman in the film.

About Ramayana

Ramayana is a two-part cinematic adaptation of the ancient Indian epic, directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra and Yash. The story follows Lord Rama, the prince of Ayodhya, whose journey takes him into exile and eventually to Lanka to rescue his wife, Sita, from Ravana. Ranbir Kapoor plays Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi portrays Goddess Sita, while Yash essays Ravana. The film also features Ravie Dubey as Lakshman and Arun Govil as King Dashrath. The music is by Hans Zimmer and AR Rahman. Ramayana: Rise of a Legend releases today in cinemas in India.

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