Ramayana: Part 1 (2026) – A Historic Epic of Unmatched Scale | Film Review

By Samuel Leggett Jr. for JVS Media & Productions

Having caught an intimate sneak peek of what this project looked like in IMAX and 3D back during CinemaCon, I knew eIf there has ever been a definitive litmus test of true international scale, grand cinematic spectacle, and deep mythological reverence this year, it is director Nitesh Tiwari’s monumental undertaking, Ramayana: Part 1. Backed by a massive, reported $500 million budget, cutting-edge visual effects, and a haunting, heroic musical score composed by Hans Zimmer, this is not merely another blockbuster movie release—it is a towering cultural and cinematic event.

Having caught an intimate sneak peek of what this project looked like in IMAX and 3D back during CinemaCon, expectations were already hovering at an all-time high. Yet, experiencing the fully realized final product on the big screen proved to be an entirely unmatched and unparalleled journey.

“If you have looked at epics like Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings, that is the level of what you’re looking at with this film… This is truly a historic epic of epic proportions.”

The Scale, Visuals, and World-Building

From its breathtaking, high-octane opening ten-minute block—which unfolds with the kind of jaw-dropping mythological grandeur that makes you wonder if James Cameron stepped in to direct a fantasy epic—Ramayana: Part 1 refuses to pull its punches. Featuring flying celestial creatures, stunning practical set designs, and some of the most intense, eye-popping hand-to-hand combat and aerial choreography witnessed all year, the film stands as a masterclass in visual immersion.

“The VFX and the CG and the set design are, in my personal opinion, rivaling anything that has been put up this year… You can tell what’s a practical set and what is also the CG, and it just is huge and massive.”

Whether viewed in IMAX, Dolby, or high-frame-rate 3D, every single frame breathes history, tactile texture, and immense scope. Coupled with Hans Zimmer’s score—subtly layered with motifs of heroism, sacrifice, vengeance, and a profound weight of higher powers at stake—the auditory landscape matches the visual majesty beat-for-beat. The music captures the threat of souls hanging in the balance, grounding the bombast with intimate emotional resonance.

Performances Rooted in Humanity and Power

At its core, what makes Ramayana: Part 1 truly sing underneath its massive CGI canvas is its powerhouse ensemble cast. No one on screen phones it in; every actor brings a thousand percent dedication to their character’s trajectory and emotional stakes.

• Ranbir Kapoor as Ram: Kapoor carries an elemental, quiet, virtuous, and almost Superman-like grace. His understated command anchors the emotional gravity of the entire narrative, perfectly contrasting with the chaos around him.
• Sai Pallavi as Sita: Pallavi portrays Sita with an otherworldly grace, beauty, and true inner sincerity, while also stepping up seamlessly into powerful physical and emotional beats alongside her co-stars.
• Yash as Ravena: Perhaps the film’s most staggering revelation is Yash’s multi-layered, brilliantly complex portrayal of Ravena.

“A character as complicated, vindictive, spiteful, and at times deviously dark—I understand completely and I empathize with it completely… The way Yash plays the character is so multi-layered and multifaceted; very great performance, very believable physical engagement.”

Final Verdict & Recommendation

Clocking in at an immersive 3 hours and 15 minutes, Ramayana: Part 1 leaves off on a gripping, high-stakes cliffhanger that immediately demands a Part 2. (A vital tip for cinephiles: try to catch the subbed version for specific plotlines, musical numbers, and dramatic beats that differ from the dubbed version, and make sure you stay all the way through the credits for the crucial post-credits sequence!)

Director Nitesh Tiwari has successfully bridged cultural mythology with a universal cinematic language, pulling general audiences completely into a rich, emotional, and visually staggering journey. If you have been wondering whether the massive hype surrounding this international juggernaut is actually justified, rest assured.

“This is one that I don’t think you should ever miss… If any of you guys have been kind of wondering is this movie going to be worth it… just know the hype is real.”

Rating: A | Level of Enthusiasm: 95%

Video Review – https://youtu.be/2bb1R00XO64