Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana: Part 1 (also known as Ramayana: Rise of a Legend) released worldwide on November 5, 2026, and has quickly become one of the biggest cinematic events of the year. Starring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Yash as Ravana, the film is a large-scale adaptation of Valmiki’s timeless epic.
As of mid-November 2026 (nine days after release), the movie has crossed ₹1,110 crore worldwide, with strong domestic numbers exceeding ₹600 crore nett in India. It has already surpassed several major lifetime collections and is performing strongly across languages and markets.
Cast of Ramayana Part 1
- Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama
- Sai Pallavi as Sita
- Yash as Ravana (his Hindi film debut)
- Ravi Dubey as Lakshmana
- Sunny Deol as Hanuman
- Supporting cast includes Arun Govil (Dasharatha), Lara Dutta (Kaikeyi), Rakul Preet Singh, and others
The ensemble brings both star power and earnest performances. Many viewers and critics have particularly praised Yash’s intense portrayal of Ravana and the overall visual scale.
Story Overview (Spoiler-Free)
Ramayana: Part 1 covers the early portions of the epic — from the rise of Ravana and the early life of Rama to the events leading into exile. It focuses on themes of duty (dharma), love, sacrifice, and the beginning of a larger conflict between good and evil.
The film is the first of a planned two-part series. Part 2 is expected later (reports indicate a possible Diwali 2028 window after earlier plans for 2027).
Production Highlights
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari (Dangal), the film is produced by Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios in collaboration with DNEG (Oscar-winning VFX house) and Yash’s Monster Mind Creations.
Key technical aspects:
- Music by Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman
- Filmed for IMAX and premium formats
- Released in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam
- Massive production scale with extensive visual effects
The ambition is clear: to present the Ramayana as a grand, global cinematic experience while staying rooted in the source material.
Box Office Performance (as of November 14, 2026)
- Worldwide gross: Over ₹1,110 crore in nine days
- India nett: Around ₹612 crore
- Strong overseas contribution
- Multiple records broken, including surpassing lifetime India nett figures of films like Chhaava, Pathaan, and Animal in a short time
The film opened strongly ahead of and during the Diwali window and has shown solid holds, driven by family audiences, word-of-mouth, and the festive season.
Critical & Audience Reception
Reviews have been mixed-to-positive. Most agree the film delivers spectacular visuals, impressive action sequences, and a powerful score. Yash’s Ravana has frequently been called a standout.
Some critics noted that the emotional depth and certain character arcs feel restrained compared to the visual grandeur, while others appreciated the respectful, large-scale approach to a sacred story. Audience response has been largely enthusiastic, reflected in the strong box-office numbers and high occupancy in many centers.
Why You Should Watch Ramayana Part 1
- Scale rarely seen in Indian cinema – Premium formats and VFX elevate the mythological spectacle.
- Star power with sincerity – Ranbir, Sai Pallavi, and Yash bring commitment to iconic roles.
- Cultural moment – A modern big-screen telling of one of India’s most important epics.
- Music and technical craft – The Zimmer-Rahman collaboration and DNEG work stand out.
- Part of a larger story – Sets up the bigger conflict for Part 2.
Whether you are a longtime devotee of the Ramayana, a fan of large-scale Indian films, or simply looking for an epic theatrical experience, Ramayana: Part 1 offers a memorable big-screen event.
Have you watched it yet? Share your thoughts on Ranbir’s Rama, Yash’s Ravana, or your favorite sequence in the comments. Which part of the epic are you most excited to see in Part 2?
This article is optimized for search terms like “Ramayana movie 2026”, “Ranbir Kapoor Ramayana review”, “Ramayana box office collection”, “Yash as Ravana”, and “Nitesh Tiwari Ramayana”. Feel free to post the link on X with a strong hook (e.g., “Ramayana just crossed ₹1,100 crore – here’s everything you need to know before/after watching”) to drive traffic and engagement.