Ramayana Part 1 Film Review: Impressive Visualization and Emotional Depth Despite Some Flaws

The cinematic adaptation of one of India's famous epics, 'Ramayana,' premiered in international cinemas on November 5th. Viewers are actively discussing how 'Ramayana: Part 1' was presented on the big screen.

Many internet users highly praised the film for its dense narrative and strong performances from the leading cast, particularly Ranbir Kapoor as Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Yash as Ravana.

The cinematic adaptation, based on the epic 'Ramayana' written by Valmiki, is being created in two parts, the first of which is now available to audiences.

The film is directed by Nitesh Tiwari, who collaborated with Shridhar Raghavan on the screenplay. The film is produced by Namit Malhotra and Yash, and stars Kapoor, Yash (in his Bollywood debut), Sai Pallavi, Sunny Deol, Ravi Dubey, Anupam Kher, Kajal Aggarwal, Rakul Preet Singh, Vivek Oberoi, Kunal Kapoor, Adinath Kothare, and Arun Govil.

Trading analyst and Bollywood film tracker Taran Adarsh reacted enthusiastically to the picture. He wrote on X: 'Is #Ramayana truly an timeless epic that holds a special place in the hearts of millions?... The answer is a HUGE YES.' He added that 'director #NiteshTiwari presents a cinematic spectacle that glorifies the glory of #Indian culture and the eternal triumph of good over evil... The flawless script and engaging plot keep you on the edge of your seat throughout the film.'

Bollywood director, producer, and host of television shows Karan Johar shared a lengthy review of the film on Instagram. He stated: 'You have read it, seen it, talked about it... and YOU ARE STILL amazed by its cinematic adaptation—it is nothing short of a miracle! I welcome, I applaud, and I feel deep respect for every member of the Ramayana team.... We can all dream of this... they truly did it!'

Johar specifically commended Namit Malhotra for 'inspiring me to be bold, daring, and advocate for the creator's most essential ingredient... conviction.'

In particular, Johar highly rated the acting skills of the main stars: Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Ravi Dubey, and Yash. He noted: 'Ranbir... managed to make the country believe in you as a divine force of good and humanity without any embellishments... this is your most challenging role, and you succeeded with divine perfection....'

He also emphasized that 'Sai Pallavi's style of performance is very touching, and you made me believe in the power of your sacrifice and unconditional love.' The director who made 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' and 'Kal Ho Naa Ho' added that Yash's portrayal of Ravana was mesmerizing and powerful. 'Mega-stardom is simply in your DNA!!!! Special mention for the well-acclaimed scene of Ravana and his multiple inner voices.'

Thirty-nine years ago, Ramanand Sagar gifted viewers the masterpiece 'Ramayana,' which continues to remain in people's hearts. Although many versions of this story have been made since then, none have been able to compare to the vision and presentation achieved by Sagar. The director created this series without spending huge budgets or money on excesses.

At that time, technologies did not exist to display visual images effectively, such as expensive cameras or high-tech visual effects (VFX). Nevertheless, Ramanand Sagar managed to create a 'Ramayana' that is relevant even today, managing without modern computer graphics solutions.

Ramanand Sagar and his team were able to bring the most complex scenes to the screen through creativity and the use of local inventive methods. The history of the series' special effects is truly magical. According to Ramanand Sagar's son, Prem Sagar, computerized equipment was not used for special effects at the time; most of the work was done with cameras and special techniques. Next, it is described how the creators succeeded in making this hit without using advanced technology.

Cotton was used in front of the camera or glass to imitate fog in cloud scenes. For creating the effect of mist and fog on the set, incense and aromatic sticks were used.

Use of Miniatures

To show majestic mountains on screen, miniatures were created—reduced copies of large objects. These small models, reaching sizes from ten to fifteen feet, were then presented as real mountains using cinematic techniques.

Trick for Shiva Tandava Scene

The Shiva Tandava scene was realized using a slide projector. Models of small planets were placed in the background, and the entire image was formed using slides.

Application of Cinematography Tricks

Scenes with deities and Ravana's flying chariot Pushpaka were created using cinematography tricks and wires. Actors were suspended on these ropes to create the illusion of flight and connected to the background scenery. Props made of plaster of Paris, bamboo, grass, and wood were used for many scenes.

Special Machine for Bow and Arrow Effects

Creating the action scenes of 'Ramayana' required significant effort. For this, a new machine called SEG 2000, which had just entered the market at the time, was utilized. It was used to demonstrate the collision of arrows and sparks, as well as the effects of divine amulets. Mechanical effects and matte glass techniques were also applied. In that era, when modern CGI and computer VFX did not exist, many complex shots were created using optical and mechanical techniques. To give richness to the military scenes on screen, about 2000 junior actors were involved.

How was Kumbhakarna killed?

The scene of Kumbhakarna's death proved to be very difficult. According to reports, a mold of Kumbhakarna's face was prepared for this scene. Artificial limbs and body parts were made of plaster of Paris.

Where was the series filmed?

Ramanand Sagar chose Umargao in the state of Gujarat for filming 'Ramayana.' It was here that sets for Ayodhya, Lanka, Mithila, and Kishkindha were built. Filming took place on one location, where sets for different kingdoms and palaces of various regions were created.

According to Prem Sagar, there was no fixed schedule or timetable for the filming. Shooting would begin as soon as Ramanand Sagar finished writing a scene, for example, at three in the morning.

What was the budget of 'Ramayana'?

According to a Hindustan Times report, the budget for each episode of 'Ramayana' was about 900 thousand rupees, which was considered an expensive television project for that time.

The long-awaited film 'Ramayana: Part 1' starring Ranbir Kapoor has been released in cinemas worldwide, generating immense interest among viewers. This mythological film, directed by Nitish Tiwari, is an adaptation of the Ramayana epic.

In the film, Ranbir Kapoor plays the role of Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi portrays Sita's mother, and Yash plays Ravana. Following the premiere, the buzz around the film reached its peak, and 'Ramayana' is actively being discussed on social media.

Initial reviews highlight the magnificent visual effects (VFX) and the skill of the actors. The character of Ravana, played by Yash, particularly captured the audience's attention, receiving significant screen time. Viewers highly praised Yash's performance, noting that his appearance on screen makes a strong impression. The public has called Nitish Tiwari's film a masterpiece, and some scenes have gone viral online, accompanied by cheers of approval and slogans like 'Jai Shri Ram.'

International publications have also reacted positively to the film. The British newspaper 'The Guardian' gave the film a rating of 4 out of 5 stars, calling 'Ramayana' grand and outstanding, comparing it to works such as 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'The Lion King.'

Actress Pranjanya Jaiswal shared her opinion, calling 'Ramayana' a great work for Indian cinema. She highly praised the performances of Ranbir, Ravi Dubey, Sai Pallavi, Rakul Preet, Ashish Chanchlani, and Badshah. After watching, they admitted to experiencing strong emotions, especially during the battle scene between Jatay and Ravana.