VOI world/ desk
Indian audiences have been buzzing since the first look and teaser of Nitesh Tiwari’s much-anticipated Ramayana: Part I were released on July 3, ahead of its Diwali 2026 launch. Starring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Yash as Ravana, and Sai Pallavi as Sita, the teaser’s majestic VFX immediately impressed viewers, and sparked widespread comparisons to 2023’s cinematic retelling, Adipurush.
Early reactions on X praised not only the casting highlighting Ranbir’s composed portrayal of Ram and Yash’s intense Ravana but also the ultra-realistic visual effects, which fans described as “Hollywood-level” and “a thousand times better than Adipurush”. Several compared the opening Credits sequence to Game of Thrones, setting high expectations for the film’s grandeur.
The teaser, spanning nearly three minutes, features glimpses of divine elements – Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva – and hints at the upcoming epic showdown between Ram and Ravana, complemented by music from A.R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer, revealed through a viral selfie of the composers. Fans called it “the greatest teaser,” noting its emotional resonance and cinematic quality.
Despite the roll-out’s success, some social media users questioned the screenwriter credit for Shridhar Raghavan, asking why the ancient sage Valmiki isn’t acknowledged, as memes and critiques highlighted this oversight.
With a ₹835 crore budget, ensemble cast, cutting-edge VFX by DNEG, and a release planned in two parts during Diwali 2026 and 2027, Ramayana aims to reset the bar for mythological cinema. For many, the first-look teaser signals that India is finally catching up to global standards in cinematic scale and storytelling—with Ramayana poised to become a cultural milestone.
