‘Is This Ramayana?’ Yash’s Ravana Becomes Film’s Biggest Talking Point

Nitesh Tiwari’s ₹4,000-crore epic wins praise for its grand visuals and VFX, but viewers raise questions over its storytelling and characterisation

Nitesh Tiwari’s much-anticipated epic, Ramayana: Rise of a Legend, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi and Yash, has finally hit cinemas, and early audience reactions are pouring in on social media. While the film’s massive scale, visual effects and grand action sequences have impressed several viewers, its storytelling has drawn a mixed response.

One name has emerged as a major talking point following the early screenings: Yash. His portrayal of Ravana has received considerable praise, with viewers describing him as a scene-stealer whose imposing screen presence and menacing performance stand out.

Yash’s Ravana Emerges as the Biggest Talking Point

Audiences attending early morning screenings, some beginning as early as 6.30 am on Thursday, took to X to share their reactions while avoiding major spoilers.

Film critic Siddharth Srinivas praised Yash’s performance, calling him the real show-stealer. In a post on X, he wrote: “On the acting front, @TheNameIsYash is the real show stealer. His menacing screen presence and body language make him an absolute standout. #RanbirKapoor is adequate as Ram, while #SaiPallavi looks and performs well as Sita. Expected better performances from the rest of the cast, or better casting at least.”

Ranbir Kapoor has also received appreciation for his portrayal of Lord Ram, although some viewers believe his performance could have been stronger. Sai Pallavi’s appearance and performance as Sita have also drawn positive comments.

45-Minute Ravana-Jatayu Battle Wins Praise

The film’s visual effects, production design and cinematic scale have emerged as some of its strongest points. The reported 45-minute mid-air showdown between Ravana and Jatayu has particularly impressed viewers, with the VFX execution and detailing drawing praise.

Several audience reactions have highlighted the film’s CGI and use of 3D, suggesting that its visual spectacle helps compensate for shortcomings in the narrative.

Storytelling and Characterisation Draw Criticism

Despite the appreciation for its technical achievements, the film has faced criticism over its writing. Some viewers feel that, apart from Ravana, most characters have been developed only at a surface level.

The drama has also been compared to familiar television adaptations of the epic, with some viewers pointing to a lack of memorable emotional moments beyond the action sequences.

One reaction on X questioned the film’s character balance, saying: “They made Ravan look so GREAT and so POWERFUL that Lord Ram looks like a side character. Is this Ramayana or Ravanayana?”

Others have described the narrative as familiar, arguing that the film does not offer a sufficiently fresh interpretation of an epic that has been adapted for the screen several times.