The newly released trailer for Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana: Part 1 has sharply divided the audience online. While many are praising its scale and cast, others remain highly critical of the CGI and lead character choices.
The ₹4,000-crore mythological epic, produced by Namit Malhotra and distributed globally by Sony Pictures, dropped its official 4-minute trailer during the auspicious Brahma Muhurat on July 30, 2026. This followed a series of frustrating delays and online leaks that had already testy fans on edge.
The reaction to the trailer highlights several points of division among viewers. The Kannada superstar Yash has emerged as the unanimous highlight of the trailer. Audiences on social media have praised his menacing, authoritative presence and striking transformation.
Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama has heavily polarized fans. Supporters laud his “calmness, grace, and restraint,” even dubbing him “RAMbir”. Critics, however, argue his dialogue delivery sounds too similar to his modern romantic roles, with some mocking it as the “bunnyfication” of a deity.
Though given limited screen time in the trailer, Sai Pallavi as Sita has earned widespread appreciation for bringing warmth and grace to the role.
Fans expressed disappointment over the complete absence of Sunny Deol’s Hanuman, leaving many questioning when the iconic character will be revealed.
A large section of the audience has defended the massive production scale handled by Oscar-winning VFX house DNEG. They argue that the sweeping landscapes of Ayodhya and Lanka are meant for a massive IMAX screen rather than mobile compression.
Conversely, critical viewers point out that several heavy-CGI shots look unrefined, unnatural, and visibly detached due to heavy green-screen usage.
The soundtrack—composed by heavyweights A.R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer—received split reactions. Many felt it gave them goosebumps, while others complained that the iconic duo’s influence felt oddly muted and barely noticeable in the final cut.
Reacting to the torrent of CGs in the trailer, a member of the cast from the original Ramanand Sagar-helmed Ramayan says, “So much resources, such mindboggling funds, so many expectations…and all they have come up with this? The trailer looks like it was put together on the phone. The best thing about the new Ramayan is that it will prompt audiences to rediscover Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan once again.”
