Ramayana’s first reactions just dropped, and one viewer says even Lord of the Rings doesn’t compare. Early premiere reactions praise the film’s grand scale and lead performances but question whether its spectacle comes at the cost of storytelling.
Ramayana’s first reactions praise the Indian mythology epic
Ramayana’s first reactions from its Los Angeles premiere on October 27 have drawn praise for the film’s scale and performances. Viewers compared Nitesh Tiwari’s adaptation of the Indian epic to The Lord of the Rings. One attendee stated, “There is nothing like Ramayana in the cinematic universe.”
The reviewer added that the experience felt unlike anything he had seen before. He said, “I haven’t felt like this since the very first Lord of the Rings movie came out.” He also highlighted the film’s cliffhanger ending, saying he shouted “no” when the screen went black.
Entertainment journalist Rama (@RamasScreen on X) called the film one of the year’s most immersive cinematic experiences. He praised the lead actors, writing that Ranbir Kapoor was “sublime” and Yash was “magnetic.” Reviewer Theresa Simoni (@theresasimoni55 on X) also lauded Kapoor’s portrayal, saying the actor “moved [her] to tears.”
However, not all reactions were positive. Venky Reviews (@venkyreviews on X) offered a mixed assessment, noting the film prioritises spectacle over emotional storytelling. The reviewer wrote that the second half “drags in places” due to lengthy action sequences. On the music by AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer, the reviewer said, “The Indian-Hollywood blend largely backfires and ends up feeling like neither.”
Sai Pallavi, who plays Sita, shared her perspective on the film’s themes at the premiere. She said, “Ravana is not all bad. And it’s important that we spot the Ravana in us, and we make changes over time.” She expressed hope that international audiences would see the film as an entry point into Indian culture.
Ramayana: Rise of a Legend releases worldwide on November 5, 2026, across more than 100 countries. The film stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Yash as Ravana and Sai Pallavi as Sita. Sony Pictures handles international distribution while Dharma Productions distributes domestically.
