And the wait is finally over. At the auspicious Brahma Muhurat, the much-awaited trailer of Ramayana, starring Ranbir Kapoor as Prabhu Shri Ram, Yash as Ravana, and Sai Pallavi as Sita, was unveiled at 4:15 am.
The trailer opens with Ravana's first glimpse, instantly setting the tone for his powerful presence. Clocking in at 4 minutes and 9 seconds, the trailer is packed with grand visuals, heavy CGI, and impressive VFX. Visually, it looks stunning and promises a spectacular IMAX experience.
Ranbir Kapoor, as Lord Ram, impresses with his look, but his dialogue delivery falls flat as certain dialogues remind audiences of his role in Animal, with some even calling it the "bunnyfication" of Ranbir Kapoor, saying he resembles a younger version of himself enhanced with evident AI edits.
On the other hand, Sai Pallavi, as Mata Sita, faced backlash for her accent, with many viewers pointing out her Tamil influence. While she undoubtedly looks beautiful, a section of the audience struggled to connect with her portrayal, with some even calling her miscast.
Yash, as Ravana, undoubtedly stands out. His screen presence is commanding, and his dialogues are impactful. However, some viewers felt that the actors' individual personalities still overshadowed their mythological characters, making it difficult for audiences to completely immerse themselves in the world of the Ramayana. For many, it feels more like a lavish fantasy television series than an authentic mythological epic.
Despite the breathtaking visuals and massive scale, a section of viewers expressed disappointment over the costume design. Social media users pointed out that the styling of several characters appears too contemporary for a story set in the Treta Yuga.
One of the most discussed looks is Lara Dutta's portrayal of Queen Kaikeyi. In a key sequence, she is seen wearing a saree paired with a half-sleeved blouse, which many felt looked too modern for the ancient era. Her sleek, salon-styled straight hair also drew criticism, with viewers saying it added a present-day touch rather than reflecting the period depicted in the Ramayana.
What is this casting? Surpanakha is looking more beautiful than Sita Mata. #Ramayana pic.twitter.com/bsyBGtYCYY
— Arkav (@arkavx) July 30, 2026
Sai Pallavi's styling has also come under scrutiny, with many commenting that her sarees, blouses, and overall appearance resemble contemporary fashion rather than attire associated with the Treta Yuga. Social media has since been flooded with mixed reactions as the trailer continues to trend online.
While many praised Rakul Preet Singh's brief appearance as Shurpanakha, fans also noticed the absence of Lord Hanuman in the trailer. It appears that the makers have intentionally held back his reveal, as the first part reportedly concludes on a cliffhanger.
Despite the mixed reactions, the trailer has taken the internet by storm. It crossed an impressive 5 million views within just six hours of its release.
Spectacular VFX, grand visuals, impressive performances, and a stirring background score elevate almost every frame. Adapted by Shridhar Raghavan, the film features music by Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman in a landmark East-West collaboration.
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra's Prime Focus Studios and eight-time Academy Award-winning VFX studio DNEG, in association with Yash's Monster Mind Creations, Ramayana: Part One is slated for a worldwide release during Diwali 2026. The film will be globally distributed by Sony Pictures, with Dharma Productions handling distribution across North India.
