Ramayana Part 1 Budget, Cast, Reviews: Ranbir Kapoor, Yash…

Ramayana Part 1 Budget, Cast, Reviews: Ranbir Kapoor, Yash Star in Epic Film

Ranbir Kapoor's Ramayana: Part 1 hits theatres with record-breaking budget, massive scale, and mixed reviews.

Current hype level51

Ranbir Kapoor’s Ramayana: Part 1 roared into theatres on Thursday morning, opening with a bang across India and in select global markets. The film — released simultaneously in standard, IMAX, and ScreenX formats, has already set new benchmarks for Indian cinema’s technical ambition. With a record-breaking budget and a star-studded cast anchored by Kapoor and Yash, it’s the most expensive Indian film ever made, according to trade sources.

The hype was real: packed morning shows, sold-out screens, and early box office numbers trending toward an opening-day record. Even before the first frame rolled, ticket sales had surged, driven by months of anticipation and a marketing blitz that included an exclusive screening at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles.

Early reactions there were split, some called it a visual triumph, others found it emotionally hollow. Back home, audiences are divided too. Critics have pointed to the film’s over-reliance on spectacle: flashy VFX, relentless action sequences, and a score that some say fails to land the emotional beats. The de-ageing effects on Kapoor and Yash drew particular flak, with several viewers calling them distracting.

But not everything is under fire. The background music, composed by A.R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer, marking Zimmer’s first work on an Indian film, earned praise for its grandeur. So did the fight choreography, handled by Hollywood veterans Guy Norris and Terry Notary. Yash’s performance as Ravana has been universally lauded, with many calling it the film’s anchor.

Ranbir Kapoor, meanwhile, plays both Lord Rama and Parashurama, bringing a quiet intensity to the role. His inclusion in TIME’s 100 Most Influential People list was highlighted by producer Namit Malhotra during pre-release interviews, underscoring his cultural weight. Nitesh Tiwari, who directs the film, is trying to balance mythic scale with narrative depth.

Whether he succeeds remains to be seen. One thing’s certain: this isn’t just a movie. It’s a moment. And the next chapter, Ramayana: Part 2, is already being planned.

The question now isn’t whether it’ll make money. It’s whether it’ll matter.