Ramayana: Part 1 is an epic mythological film directed by Nitesh Tiwari, who co-wrote the screenplay with Shridhar Raghavan. Produced by Namit Malhotra and Yash, the film is based on the epic poem Ramayana by Valmiki, which chronicles the life and trials of Prince Rama. Hans Zimmer and A. R. Rahman collaborated to compose the score, marking Zimmer’s debut work in the Indian film industry.
It was released worldwide on 5 November, coinciding with the Diwali holidays.
Star Cast:
Ranbir Kapoor as Rama and Parashurama
Yash as Ravana
Raghav Malhotra as young Ravana
Sai Pallavi as Sita
Ravi Dubey as Lakshmana
Arun Govil as Dasharatha
Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi
Indira Krishnan as Kaushalya
Sonal Jha as Sumitra
Rajiv Kumar as Janaka
Adinath Kothare as Bharata
Nitish Sharma as Shatrughna
Kajal Aggarwal as Mandodari
Rakul Preet Singh as Shurpanakha
Dishita Sehgal as young Shurpanakha
Vivek Oberoi as Vidyutjihva
Harish Uthaman as Vibhishana
Kunal Kapoor as Indra
Sheeba Chaddha as Manthara
Shobana as Kaikashi
Faisal Malik as Kumbhakarna
Parminder Chhada as Subahu
Saurabh Sachdeva as Maricha
Kanchan Chetal as Tataka
Chetan Hansraj as Sumali
Anupam Kher as Jatayu (voice-over)
Raghav Juyal as Meghanada (cameo appearance)
Sunny Deol as Hanuman (in post credit scene)
MOVIE REVIEW: Ramayana is a visual extravaganza backed by committed performances, extraordinary technical craftsmanship and a compelling retelling of an immortal epic. Bringing the timeless epic of Ramayana to the big screen is no ordinary filmmaking challenge. It comes with enormous expectations, cultural significance and the responsibility of doing justice to a story that has been cherished across generations. Thankfully, Ramayana rises to much of that challenge, delivering a spectacular cinematic experience that is as grand in its vision as it is rich in its storytelling.
Ranbir Kapoor makes a thoughtful choice for Prabhu Shri Ram. His portrayal is restrained, dignified and rooted in sincerity. Yash is an absolute powerhouse as Ravana. His commanding screen presence, intimidating demeanour and larger-than-life portrayal make the antagonist one of the biggest highlights of the film. It is arguably one of the most memorable scenes of his career. Sharad Kelkar’s powerful voice work further elevates Ravana. Sai Pallavi brings elegance, warmth and dignity to Goddess Sita. There may have been questions surrounding her casting, but her performance makes a convincing case for why she belongs in the role. Ravie Dubey is another pleasant surprise, balancing humour and emotional sincerity beautifully. Rakul Preet Singh is impressive, while Arun Govil feels like a perfect casting choice. Lara Dutta delivers a strong performance, and Vivek Oberoi and Saurabh Sachdeva make their presence felt. Sheeba Chaddha is equally effective in her part. Overall, the ensemble cast adds considerable strength to the film.
On the technical front, Ramayana operates on a scale rarely witnessed in Indian cinema. Producer Namit Malhotra deserves immense appreciation for backing a project of this magnitude and aiming for international filmmaking standards. Director Nitesh Tiwari deserves credit for translating such a monumental epic into an immersive theatrical experience. The visual effects by DNEG are a major achievement. The film is packed with spectacular action set-pieces, each bringing something distinctive to the narrative. The confrontation between Ravana and Vidyutjeev, the intense forest battle, the Shurpanakha episode and, most importantly, the Jatayu-Ravana encounter aboard the Pushpaka Vimana are among the standout moments.
The narrative maintains a strong grip, with engaging screenplay and well-constructed sequences keeping the proceedings interesting. The background score by Hans Zimmer and A. R. Rahman adds considerable atmosphere and grandeur to the proceedings. However, given the stature of the composers and the monumental nature of the project, expectations were understandably much higher. The score is effective, but it does not consistently reach the extraordinary heights one would anticipate from this collaboration. The songs, unfortunately, are the weakest link. A film of this magnitude deserved a much more memorable musical album.
Despite these minor shortcomings, Ramayana is an impressive cinematic achievement. Its magnificent visuals, powerful performances, spectacular action and ambitious production design make it a rewarding big-screen experience. A proud moment for Indian cinema and an absolute theatrical watch!
Ramayana Part 1 Movie Rating:
Direction 4.5/5
Acting 4.5/5
Music 3/5
Story 4/5
Screenplay 4/5
Overall Hit ya Flop Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars (Must Watch)
