Rating: 3.5/5
I have just walked out of Ramayana: Part 1, and the first thing I want to say is this: Nitesh Tiwari has made a film that you can see was made with a lot of heart. It is big, it is beautiful to look at, and it has some moments that will stay with me for a long time. It is not perfect, and it feels a little long, but it is a film that deserves to be watched on the biggest screen you can find.
Ramayana Review: Quick Verdict
| Film | Ramayana: Part 1 |
| Director | Nitesh Tiwari |
| Cast | Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, Sai Pallavi, Ravie Dubey, Lara Dutta, Arun Govil |
| Music | A.R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer |
| Runtime | 3 hours 15 minutes |
| Certificate | U |
| Best part | Ranbir’s acting, Yash’s Raavan, VFX and the Jatayu vs Raavan battle |
| Weak spots | Length and the background score |
| Flickonclick rating | 3.5 out of 5 |
The Story: More Raavan Than Ram in Part 1
Part 1 covers the story from Raavan’s rise to power, through Ram’s life in Ayodhya, his marriage to Sita and his 14-year exile, up to the moment Sita is taken away. If you know the Ramayana, you know the story. What makes the film interesting is how much time it spends on Raavan.
This part is more about Raavan than Ram. Some people may not like that, especially those who walked in expecting Ram to be at the centre of every scene. But for me, it worked, mainly because of how good Yash is. And it also sets things up nicely for Part 2, where Ram’s journey should take over.
Ranbir Kapoor as Ram: Tremendous
Ranbir Kapoor is excellent. There was a lot of talk about whether he was the right choice to play Ram, and he answers all of it with a tremendous performance. His Ram is calm, gentle and full of dignity. He does not need to raise his voice or overact to make you feel his strength. You can see the respect he has for the role in every scene, and for me, this is one of the best performances of his career.
Yash as Raavan: Superb
If Ranbir is the soul of the film, Yash is its fire. His Raavan is powerful, proud and dangerous, and he fills the screen every time he appears. He makes Raavan feel like a real king with his own ambition and not just a villain shouting dialogues. His acting is superb, and I think he is the reason the Raavan-heavy story keeps you hooked.
The Jatayu vs Raavan Scene: One of the Best
The fight between Jatayu and Raavan is one of the best action scenes I have seen in an Indian film. It is huge, it is emotional, and it hits you hard. This is the scene people will be talking about after they leave the theatre, and it alone is worth the ticket price.
VFX: Among the Best in Indian Cinema
The VFX is excellent. After Baahubali and Mahavatar Narsimha, Ramayana is, for me, one of the best uses of VFX in Indian cinema. The world of Ayodhya and Lanka looks grand, the battle scenes feel massive, and the creatures and divine weapons look impressive on the big screen. You can see where the money has gone, and this is the kind of film that makes a strong case for watching movies in theatres, especially in IMAX 3D.
Music and Background Score
The music is unforgettable. The songs by A.R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer fit the story beautifully, and a few of them stayed in my head long after the film ended.
The background score, though, is only okay. With two such big names behind it, I expected the BGM to lift the big moments much more than it does. It is not bad, but it could have been much better, and in a film of this scale, a stronger score would have made the key scenes even more powerful.
Nitesh Tiwari’s Direction
Nitesh Tiwari has tried his heart out. You can feel his love and respect for the Ramayana throughout the film. He does not rush the story, he gives every major character their moment, and he never loses the devotion that makes this story so special for Indian audiences. Taking on something this big is a huge risk, and he deserves full credit for handling it with so much care.
What Could Have Been Better
The film feels a little lengthy. At 3 hours and 15 minutes, there are stretches where you feel it could have been tighter, and a slightly shorter cut would have made the experience even better. Along with the background score, this is the main reason I have not given it a higher rating.
What I Loved
- Ranbir Kapoor’s tremendous performance as Ram
- Yash’s superb, larger-than-life Raavan
- The Jatayu vs Raavan action scene
- Excellent VFX, among the best in Indian cinema
- Unforgettable songs
- Nitesh Tiwari’s heartfelt direction
What Could Be Better
- The background score is only okay
- The runtime feels a little long
- Part 1 focuses more on Raavan than Ram, which some viewers may not like
Final Verdict: Should You Watch Ramayana?
Yes. Ramayana: Part 1 is a grand, sincere and visually stunning film with two powerful performances at its centre. Ranbir Kapoor’s Ram and Yash’s Raavan, the Jatayu battle and the excellent VFX make it a big-screen experience you should not miss. It is a little long and the background score could have been stronger, but the film’s heart is in the right place.
With a U certificate, it is a film the whole family can watch together, and I would recommend seeing it in 3D or IMAX if you can. From my side, it is 3.5 stars out of 5, and I am now really looking forward to Part 2.
Also read: Ramayana runtime, first show timing and advance booking and Ramayana ticket price.