Content options
The new Ramayana film stars Ranbir Kapoor as Rama and Yash as Ravana. The BBC calls it India's costliest film and says it divides critics, while India Today's review calls it a "spellbinding epic for the ages". If you love big-screen spectacle and can accept a fresh retelling of a familiar story, it is likely worth a theatre visit. If you want a strictly traditional telling, read a few reviews first.
Key takeaways
- Ranbir Kapoor plays Rama and Yash plays Ravana, according to reports and reviews.
- The BBC describes it as India's costliest film. Exact budget figures vary by report and should be treated with caution.
- Reviews are split: some critics call it a spellbinding epic, while others, according to the BBC's framing, are less convinced.
- Your own taste in mythological cinema matters more than the average rating.
What is the Ramayana film with Ranbir Kapoor?
It is a big-budget screen retelling of the Ramayana, the Hindu epic about Prince Rama, his exile, the abduction of Sita and the war with the demon king Ravana. Almost every Indian viewer knows the outline, so the film is judged less on what happens and more on how it is told.
That is why reactions matter here. When the story is known, critics focus on casting, tone, visual effects, music and how much the makers change or emphasise. Those are matters of taste, and taste differs.
We are working from two published headlines: the BBC's report that the film retells the epic but divides critics, and India Today's glowing review. We have not seen every review, so this article explains the main lines of argument rather than quoting critics we cannot verify.
Who is in the cast?
Two names are clear from the reviews we have seen: Ranbir Kapoor as Rama and Yash as Ravana. Casting a leading star of Hindi cinema opposite a major star from Kannada cinema is itself part of the appeal, since it draws audiences from different regions.
Other reported cast and crew details, which you should confirm against the official credits, are in the table below.
| Role or department | Reported name |
|---|---|
| Rama | Ranbir Kapoor |
| Ravana | Yash |
| Sita | Sai Pallavi |
| Hanuman | Sunny Deol |
| Director | Nitesh Tiwari |
| Music | Hans Zimmer and A. R. Rahman |
For a fuller rundown, see our companion piece, Ramayana Movie 2026: Cast, Budget and Why Critics Disagree.
How much did the Ramayana film cost?
The BBC calls it India's costliest film. That is the one budget claim we can pin to a named source in our notes.
Reported figures for the whole project have been very large, with some reports putting it at around ₹4,000 crore across two parts. Studios rarely publish audited production costs, so treat any single number as an estimate. Whether the figure covers one film or a planned two-part release also changes the picture.
Why does the budget matter to you as a viewer?
Mostly it sets expectations. A film with a record cost has to earn a great deal just to break even, so it will be marketed heavily and its reviews will be scrutinised harder than a modest film's.
It does not guarantee quality. Money buys scale, effects, sets and stars. It cannot make a screenplay emotionally land.
Why are critics split?
Reviews of large mythological films usually divide along a few familiar lines. We are describing the general pattern here, not attributing these specific points to any named critic.
| Question | Likely praise | Likely criticism |
|---|---|---|
| Scale and visuals | Grand sets, effects and a sense of epic scope | Spectacle that overwhelms the characters |
| Faithfulness | A fresh, modern telling that makes the story feel alive | Departures from the version viewers grew up with |
| Performances | Fresh casting that reframes familiar roles | Star personas that clash with a revered character |
| Pacing | Time to build the world and its people | Slow stretches when the story is already well known |
India Today's headline sits on the praise side: it singles out Ranbir's Rama and Yash's Ravana and calls the film an epic for the ages. The BBC's framing is that the film retells a beloved epic but divides critics, which suggests that other reviewers did not share that level of enthusiasm.
Is a split in reviews a bad sign?
Not necessarily. A film that divides critics is often one with a strong point of view. A unanimously warm review can mean a safe film, and a unanimously cold one can mean a clearly flawed film. A split usually means the film is doing something that some people love and others reject.
A quick example: what will a family outing cost?
Ticket prices vary widely by city, cinema and format, so this is an illustration, not a quote. Suppose a family of four goes to a premium-format show.
- Four tickets at ₹350 each: 4 × 350 = ₹1,400
- Snacks and drinks: about ₹800
- Travel and parking: about ₹200
- Total: 1,400 + 800 + 200 = ₹2,400
At that price, it is reasonable to read two or three reviews first, especially if you are going with children or elderly relatives, for whom a long runtime can be tiring. Check the certificate and the runtime on your booking app.
Is the Ramayana film worth watching? A simple checklist
Use these questions to decide for yourself.
- Do you enjoy large-scale spectacle and are you willing to pay extra for a big screen? If yes, this film is built for that.
- Do you want a retelling that matches the version you know exactly? If so, expect to notice differences.
- Are you curious about Yash as Ravana and Ranbir as Rama? Casting is one of the main talking points in the reviews.
- Is the price of a family outing a concern? Wait for a few audience reviews, or for the streaming release.
- Do you prefer to judge for yourself rather than follow ratings? Then a split verdict should not put you off.
For most people who like epic cinema, we think it is worth seeing in a theatre at least once, because the scale is its main selling point. If you mostly watch at home, waiting for streaming is a sensible, cheaper choice. We list new streaming arrivals in our weekly OTT watch guide.
Common mistakes when reading film reviews
- Trusting one number. An average rating hides a wide spread of opinions, which is exactly what a split verdict is.
- Confusing budget with quality. A record cost is a fact about spending, not a verdict on the film.
- Treating box-office claims as settled. Collection figures are often put out by producers and differ between sources.
- Judging a story you love by whether it matches your memory. Decide in advance whether you want fidelity or reinterpretation.
We apply the same habit of separating confirmed facts from rumour in other explainers, such as our guide to what is confirmed and what is rumour about GTA 6.
Myth vs fact
Myth: If critics disagree, the film must be poor.
Fact: Disagreement usually reflects different expectations about tone, faithfulness and style.
Myth: The costliest film is automatically the best.
Fact: Cost shows ambition and scale. It does not measure storytelling.
FAQ
Who plays Rama and Ravana in the Ramayana film?
Ranbir Kapoor plays Rama and Yash plays Ravana, according to the India Today review headline and the BBC's report.
What is the Ramayana film budget?
The BBC describes it as India's costliest film. Specific rupee figures differ across reports and are usually estimates, so check the latest credible coverage before quoting a number.
Why are critics divided about the film?
The BBC says the film divides critics. In general, epic adaptations split reviewers over faithfulness to the original, reliance on spectacle, pacing and the casting of star actors in revered roles.
Is the Ramayana film worth watching in a theatre?
If you value large-scale visuals and sound, the big screen is probably the best way to see it. If your interest is mainly the story, which most viewers already know, waiting for streaming is a fair choice.
Where can I find out where it is streaming?
Streaming partners and dates are announced by the producers and platforms. Check the official channels or our weekly OTT guide closer to the time.
Bottom line
The Ramayana film with Ranbir Kapoor is a very expensive, star-led retelling that some critics love and others question. Read one praising review and one critical review, check the runtime and ticket price, and then decide on your own taste. If you are still unsure, the streaming release will cost far less than a family theatre trip.
