The first wave of reactions to Ramayana: Rise of a Legend has emerged following its world premiere in Los Angeles on October 27. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra, the film stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Yash as Ravana and Sai Pallavi as Sita. The invite-only 3D screening at the David Geffen Theatre in the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures offered an early look at the mythological epic ahead of its worldwide theatrical release on November 5.
Early responses from attendees highlight strong appreciation for the lead performances and the film’s ambitious scale, while also noting areas where spectacle appears to outweigh emotional depth and narrative tightness. Several viewers have drawn comparisons to the epic scope of The Lord of the Rings, describing the experience as uniquely grand within contemporary cinema.
Performances That Stood Out
Ranbir Kapoor’s portrayal of Rama has drawn consistent praise for its sense of purity and restraint. Viewers described his performance as carrying a quiet dignity and emotional subtlety that resonated in key moments. Some reported being moved to tears by specific scenes, while others highlighted the freshness of the fight sequences surrounding the character. The overall impression is of a measured, respectful interpretation that prioritises inner strength over overt display.
Yash’s Ravana has emerged as one of the most frequently discussed elements. Attendees singled out his commanding screen presence, particularly in the introduction sequences. Descriptions such as “magnetic,” “dominating” and “phenomenal” recur across early reactions. The intensity of his expressions and physicality appears to have left a strong impression, with many identifying his work as a major highlight of the film.
Sai Pallavi’s Sita has also received positive mentions for solidity and presence, though the bulk of the conversation has centred on the two male leads and the overall production design.
Scale, Visuals and Epic Ambition
Many early viewers characterised Ramayana: Rise of a Legend as a spectacular cinematic experience. Visuals, action sequences, dances and production design were frequently called colossal and immersive. The effort invested in realising the mythological world on a grand scale is widely acknowledged, with some describing the film as unlike anything else currently available in mainstream cinema.
Comparisons to The Lord of the Rings have surfaced repeatedly. One attendee stated that nothing had produced a similar feeling since the first film in that trilogy, while another suggested that even that benchmark does not fully capture the distinct quality of this adaptation. The sheer size of the storytelling canvas and the commitment to visual grandeur appear to be the primary drivers of these parallels.
A post-credit sequence involving Hanuman has also generated discussion, with viewers noting its presence while observing that the character’s face is not clearly visible. The film’s cliffhanger ending has been effective in building anticipation for the second part, with some audience members expressing vocal disappointment that the story paused where it did.
Areas of Mixed Response
Not all reactions have been uniformly positive. Several viewers observed that the emphasis on spectacle and lengthy action blocks sometimes comes at the expense of dramatic and emotional development. Parts of the narration have been described as feeling flat or reminiscent of serial storytelling. The decision to end Part 1 at a particular narrative point has led some to feel that the second half stretches limited material, resulting in sections that drag.
Visual effects received divided feedback. While many sequences were praised as stunning and world-class, others were noted for a noticeable studio or green-screen quality. Certain depictions of asuras were characterised as cartoonish by some attendees.
The music has similarly prompted mixed comments. Some found the score divine and effective in supporting the mythological tone. Others felt that the blend of Indian and Hollywood stylistic elements did not fully capture the emotional and spiritual weight the source material demands, describing it as one of the film’s weaker aspects.
A Film of Clear Ambition
What unites most early reactions is recognition of the project’s ambition. The filmmakers’ intent to remain largely true to the core of the Ramayana while mounting it on an international production scale has been appreciated. The combination of large-scale action, detailed world-building and committed central performances has created an experience that many found memorable even when individual elements divided opinion.
The Los Angeles premiere itself reflected the film’s dual identity as both a major Indian production and a work aimed at global audiences. Ranbir Kapoor, Yash (accompanied by his wife Radhika Pandit) and Sai Pallavi walked the red carpet alongside director Nitesh Tiwari and producer Namit Malhotra. Fans present at the event responded enthusiastically, with particular energy directed toward Yash’s arrival.
Looking Toward November 5
With the worldwide release set for November 5, these initial responses provide an early indication of how Ramayana: Rise of a Legend may land with broader audiences. The praise for Ranbir Kapoor and Yash suggests that the central casting has connected, while the discussions around pacing, emotion and music point to aspects that general viewers may also debate.
The film’s cliffhanger structure and the clear setup for a second part mean that many early viewers have left the theatre already invested in the continuation of the story. Whether the balance between spectacle and storytelling satisfies wider audiences will become clearer once the film opens in cinemas. For now, the first reactions establish Ramayana: Rise of a Legend as a work of considerable visual ambition whose strongest assets appear to be its lead performances and the sheer scale of its mythological vision.
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