Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi and Yash pose on set, embodying the legendary figures of Ram, Sita and Ravana.
RAMAYANA: RISE OF A LEGEND DEBUTS AS INDIA'S $500M EPIC, SPLITS CRITICS
*India's costliest film, a two‑part $500 million retelling of the Ramayana, opened worldwide ahead of Diwali. Critics clash over visual grandeur versus narrative depth, while the AI‑dubbed English version draws fresh ire.*
Ramayana: Rise of a Legend thundered into cinemas worldwide just days before Diwali, positioning itself as India’s most expensive film at a reported $500 million (£370 million). Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and split into two parts, the saga assembles Bollywood heavyweights Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi and Yash with Hollywood visual‑effects house DNEG and Oscar‑winning composers A.R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer. The first installment retells the beloved Hindu epic, following Lord Ram’s exile, Sita’s kidnapping and the looming clash with Ravana, which will unfold in part two next year. Anticipation collided with scrutiny as critics dissected the film’s scale, storytelling and a controversial AI‑driven English dub. The clash of reverence and modern spectacle has turned the release into a cultural flashpoint, forcing audiences and pundits to weigh heritage against cinematic ambition. Domestic reviewers have been split, with NDTV awarding three out of five stars and the Hindustan Times giving four, while overseas outlets range from The Guardian’s four‑star praise to IGN’s four‑out‑of‑ten criticism.
Why is Ramayana: Rise of a Legend drawing such polarized reviews?
The film’s reception reads like a divided council. NDTV’s Saibal Chatterjee gave three out of five stars, arguing that the visual spectacle often eclipses the narrative and that acting swings “wildly inconsistent”. Hindustan Times’ Rishabh Suri awarded four stars, applauding the lavish production (“all that money shows on screen”) but noting a sluggish first half and underwhelming music. The Indian Express’s Shubhra Gupta settled on three stars, conceding initial doubts about scale before calling the work the “perfect epic”. Internationally, Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian praised it as a “thoroughly engaging, rousing and spectacular Indian epic melodrama”, granting four stars. By contrast, IGN’s Siddhant Adlakha scored it four out of ten, labeling the action “clunky” and CGI an “eye‑sore”. Next Best Picture’s Giovanni Lago gave five out of ten, liking Yash’s Ravana and the Rahman‑Zimmer score but suggesting a series format would serve the story better.
What production elements justify the $500 million price tag?
The $500 million budget fuels a two‑part ambition. Director Nitesh Tiwari enlisted DNEG, the visual‑effects firm behind Dune and Interstellar, to craft CGI gods, demons and celestial weapons. Hollywood‑grade post‑production blends with Indian set design to create sprawling kingdoms. The soundtrack unites A.R. Rahman, Oscar‑winner for Slumdog Millionaire, and Hans Zimmer, known for Gladiator and Dune, delivering a cross‑cultural score. Producer Namit Malhotra, DNEG’s head, oversaw the technical pipeline. An English‑language version employs AI to adjust lip movements, a move Tiwari says broadens global accessibility but has drawn criticism for producing “exaggerated mouth movements”. The combination of Bollywood star power, Hollywood VFX and dual composers underpins the unprecedented spend.
How does the new epic stack up against Ramanand Sagar’s 1987 Ramayan?
The 2023 film revives a story that once dominated Indian households through Ramanand Sagar’s 1987 television Ramayan. That series aired on Doordarshan, prompting Sunday mornings of communal viewing, incense‑lit screens and even halted traffic. Its 78‑episode run relied on modest sets and practical effects, yet achieved near‑devotional status. By contrast, Rise of a Legend trades simplicity for a $500 million visual arsenal, aiming for a global audience rather than a national ritual. Critics note the new version’s scale can drown narrative nuance, a trade‑off absent from the intimate, dialogue‑driven original. The shift reflects a broader industry push to export Indian mythic content, but it also risks alienating viewers who cherish the humble reverence of the 1987 classic.
When will part two arrive and what will it cover?
Part two is slated for release next year, completing the saga’s climactic war between Ram and Ravana. The first film ends with Sita’s abduction, setting the stage for the battlefield that will decide the epic’s moral resolution. Early teasers suggest the sequel will amplify the visual spectacle while attempting to tighten the story’s pacing, a response to criticism of the first half’s sluggishness. The continuation will also test the AI‑dubbed English version’s acceptance in non‑Hindi markets. Stakeholders hope the sequel’s battle sequences will justify the investment and cement the two‑part project as a benchmark for Indian cinema’s global aspirations.
Frequently asked questions
What is the budget of Ramayana: Rise of a Legend?
The film was made for a reported $500 million (£370 million).
Who are the lead actors and which characters do they portray?
Ranbir Kapoor plays Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi plays Sita, and Yash plays Ravana.
How have critics rated the film?
Reviews range from NDTV’s three out of five stars to Hindustan Times’ four stars, with international scores from The Guardian’s four stars to IGN’s four out of ten.
Ramayana: Rise of a Legend has forced India’s film industry into a crossroads between reverence and revenue. The $500 million gamble showcases what Indian cinema can achieve with Hollywood partnerships, yet the split critical response underscores the perils of prioritising spectacle over story. As part two looms, the creators must reconcile the epic’s cultural weight with the expectations of a worldwide audience. Success could rewrite the economics of mythic filmmaking; failure may reaffirm the timeless appeal of modest, heart‑driven storytelling that defined the 1987 series.
Sources: BBC World News