The visually spectacular epic blends breathtaking visual effects, emotional storytelling and a rich cultural history into a cinematic experience that left me wanting more.
I went into Ramayana knowing very little about the story beyond what I had seen in the trailers. I left the theater with a newfound appreciation for a cultural epic that has been passed down through generations, a deeper curiosity about Indian history and traditions, and one overwhelming thought: I need Part Two.
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After attending the film’s premiere at the Academy Museum, I can confidently say that Ramayana is one of the most visually impressive cinematic experiences I have seen in a long time. Despite its lengthy runtime, the film held my attention, immersed me in its world and delivered several moments that genuinely moved me.
A Visually Stunning Epic That Belongs on the Big Screen
From the opening scenes, Ramayana establishes a world filled with vibrant colors, extraordinary landscapes and elaborate environments that feel larger than life.
The visual effects are among the film’s biggest strengths. While some viewers have expressed concerns about the scale of the CGI, I found that the effects largely enhanced the storytelling rather than distracting from it. The fantastical elements felt believable within the world the filmmakers created, helping bring the story to life in ways that would be difficult to achieve without such ambitious visual work.
There were moments when I wondered whether certain sequences could have been handled differently, but those instances were relatively minor compared with the overall achievement.
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The film reminded me of the immersive world-building found in Dune and Interstellar, as well as the epic scale audiences anticipate from Christopher Nolan’s upcoming The Odyssey. However, what made Ramayana especially meaningful to me was seeing that same cinematic ambition applied to a story rooted in Indian culture and tradition.
The battle sequences were particularly impressive. They delivered the scale, intensity and spectacle that make theatrical filmmaking so exciting, with several moments that reminded me of the grand confrontations in Gladiator.
I watched the film in 3D at the premiere and, although I eventually removed my glasses because 3D can give me a headache, the sequences I experienced in 3D looked incredible. I would recommend seeing it in a theater to fully appreciate the scale of its environments and battles, although the experience does not depend on 3D alone.
Why ‘Ramayana’ Is More Than Just Another Fantasy Movie
One of the most important things I want audiences to understand about Ramayana is that this is not simply another fantasy film.
For many people, the story is a living part of their culture, faith, family traditions and history. It has been passed down through generations, shaping how people understand the world and their place within it.
That distinction matters.
I have seen people casually describe stories like this as mythology without necessarily understanding their significance to the communities that preserve them. While the term is used in discussions of traditional narratives, it is important to recognize that the Ramayana holds deep religious and cultural meaning for many people.
As someone of Persian heritage, I understand the desire to see stories from your own cultural background represented on a grand cinematic scale. I would love to see more films introduce international audiences to Persian history and traditions with the same level of ambition.
That is part of what made this experience so rewarding. I was not just watching a movie; I was learning about a cultural tradition that was largely unfamiliar to me before this experience.
The film encouraged me to become more curious, recognize similarities between cultures and appreciate the different ways stories are preserved across generations.
For me, that is one of cinema’s greatest strengths. Movies can entertain us, but they can also introduce us to people, places and traditions we might never otherwise explore.
The English Dub Did Not Ruin the Experience
I watched the English-dubbed version of Ramayana, which was prepared for international audiences. The version intended for release in India is reportedly around 30 minutes longer, with additional singing and dancing that I would love to experience if the opportunity becomes available.
Personally, I usually prefer watching international films in their original language with subtitles. Hearing the original performances can make a significant difference, particularly when an actor’s voice, expressions and physical movements work together to communicate emotion.
However, I do not feel that watching the English dub diminished my understanding of the story or its cultural significance.
The performances still conveyed the emotional stakes, and I remained invested in what was happening on screen.
I would still like to watch the original-language version, but I would not want concerns about dubbing to prevent international audiences from experiencing the film.
For viewers who prefer English dialogue, the dub provides an accessible way to engage with the story.
Ravana Is a Complex Character, Not Just a Straightforward Villain
One of the elements I found especially interesting was the portrayal of Ravana, played by Yash.
I have always been fascinated by villains who are more complicated than they initially appear, and Ravana is a character who invites that kind of discussion.
The film presents him as powerful, knowledgeable and formidable, but it also explores the experiences and motivations that shape his journey.
Learning about his mother’s influence and the importance of avenging his people initially made me more sympathetic toward him. I found myself considering where his actions came from and what had shaped his understanding of the world.
But as the story progressed, his arrogance and inability to distinguish right from wrong became increasingly significant.
That complexity made the character more compelling to watch. Understanding someone’s motivations does not necessarily mean agreeing with their decisions, and the film provides an opportunity to consider how power, pride and the desire for revenge can influence a person’s choices.
Yash’s performance helped make Ravana feel like more than a conventional antagonist. He brought an intensity to the role that made the character’s presence felt throughout the film.
The battle scenes were another highlight, adding a sense of scale and consequence to the conflict. Some of the confrontations felt reminiscent of the grand cinematic moments that have defined epic films for decades.
The Most Heartbreaking Moment Was About Courage, Not Just Victory
One of the most emotional sequences for me involved the battle between Ajatay and Ravana after Sita is kidnapped.
What stayed with me was the determination to fight back, even when the odds were overwhelmingly against the person trying to do what was right.
Ravana possesses immense power, and the situation feels almost impossible to overcome. Yet there is still a willingness to fight, driven by loyalty, courage and the hope of making a difference.
I knew what the outcome was likely to be, but that did not make the scene any less heartbreaking.
In fact, knowing how things might unfold made it even more emotionally difficult to watch.
The sequence reminded me that courage is not always measured by whether someone wins. Sometimes, it is demonstrated by the decision to stand up for another person, even when success seems unlikely.
That is one of the themes I appreciated most about the film. Beneath its extraordinary visuals and epic battles, Ramayanaexplores ideas about loyalty, sacrifice, morality and the consequences of choosing between right and wrong.
These are universal themes that can resonate with audiences regardless of their familiarity with the original story.
The Costumes Bring the Characters to Life
I have also seen discussions about the costumes and whether certain characters’ appearances align with how readers and audiences imagined them.
One example involves Sita and the amount of jewelry she wears. Some viewers have argued that she should be adorned with more jewelry, particularly given her royal background.
Personally, this was not something that took me out of the film.
I found the costumes beautiful, and I appreciated the way different characters were presented with distinct visual identities. The styling helped communicate differences in personality, status and the atmosphere surrounding each character.
I was particularly drawn to Sita’s natural, earthy appearance. It gave her a warmth that I felt suited the character’s connection to nature.
Of course, people who have grown up with these stories may have very specific expectations about how the characters should look. Those perspectives deserve consideration, especially when adapting culturally significant material.
But as someone encountering this particular cinematic interpretation of the story, I found the costumes effective and visually appealing.
My Only Major Criticism: The Runtime
At approximately two hours and 40 minutes, the film is a substantial theatrical experience.
For the most part, I remained engaged throughout, but there were moments when I felt the storytelling could have been tighter. Certain sections seemed to stretch longer than necessary, and I believe a more streamlined edit could have strengthened the overall pacing.
Interestingly, the Hindu version is reportedly longer and includes additional musical sequences. Having seen the international version, I am curious to discover whether those additions change the rhythm of the film.
I would actually love to see the additional singing and dancing incorporated if they complement the story and provide more insight into the characters and their world.
That is my biggest criticism, but it is also a relatively small one in the context of the entire experience.
The film’s ambition, visual presentation and emotional moments more than made up for the sections that could have moved faster.
It also reminded me why international cinema deserves more attention.
Not every film needs to follow the same formula, and not every story needs to be designed around what audiences are already familiar with. Sometimes, the most rewarding cinematic experiences are the ones that introduce us to a different culture and encourage us to look beyond our own experiences.
I went into Ramayana without a deep understanding of its story. I left wanting to learn more about the history, the characters and the traditions that have kept it alive for generations.
That is an achievement in itself.
I would recommend seeing it on the big screen rather than waiting for streaming. The visual effects, battles and scale of the world deserve to be experienced in a theater, where the film can fully surround you.
And please, go into it with an open mind. You do not need to know every detail of the story beforehand to appreciate the filmmaking or become curious about the culture behind it.
My biggest takeaway is that cinema should do more than give us the same stories repeatedly. It should broaden our perspectives, introduce us to different worlds and remind us how much there is to learn from one another.
Ramayana did exactly that for me.
