Anupama Chopra reviews Ramayana: Part 1, directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra, starring Ranbir Kapoor as Rama, Yash as Ravana and Sai Pallavi as Sita. Anupama finds an exhilarating epic that combines DNEG’s fantastical visuals with an emotional retelling of a familiar story. The screenplay, by Nitesh and Shridhar Raghavan, brings grand entrances and mass-movie spectacle to the mythology while finding its strongest moments in the characters’ humanity. Yash gives Ravana charisma, danger and depth, while Ranbir balances Rama’s composure with tenderness and compassion.
Sai Pallavi comes into her own in the forest chapter, with Sita imagined as an active participant rather than a damsel in distress, and Ravie Dubey brings welcome levity as Lakshman. Anupama is moved by Jatayu, voiced by Anupam Kher, and the elaborately staged airborne battle with Ravana. But at 195 minutes, the film feels overstretched: several battles are weightless, the CGI creatures lack personality and Kumbhakarna makes little impression. Even with these shortcomings, Nitesh grounds the scale in emotion, blending the story’s moral questions with the pleasures of a grand cinematic spectacle.
The THR Bottomline: An exhilarating epic and a rousing, ambitious spectacle.