For millions of Indians, Ramayana is not just an epic. It is an emotion that has been passed down through generations. It is a story of faith, sacrifice, duty and righteousness that continues to inspire people even today. That is precisely why adapting Ramayana for the big screen is perhaps one of the toughest challenges any filmmaker can undertake. Every character, from Lord Rama and Goddess Sita to Ravana and Lord Hanuman, carries immense cultural and spiritual significance. Audiences don’t simply want to watch these characters. They want to feel their divinity.
After months of anticipation, Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana Part 1 has finally unveiled its first full trailer, and expectations couldn’t have been higher. Featuring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman, Rakul Preet Singh as Surpanakha, Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi, Arun Govil as Dasharatha and an ensemble cast, the four-minute and nine-second trailer attempts to showcase the scale of one of India’s most ambitious cinematic projects.
From breathtaking visuals to massive battle sequences, the trailer certainly promises spectacle. However, while it succeeds in creating excitement through its visual grandeur, it also leaves behind a few concerns that cannot be ignored.
Ramayana Trailer
The 4 minutes 8 seconds trailer wastes no time in introducing its biggest attraction. Within the opening moments, Yash makes a commanding entry as Ravana. The very first dialogue, “Tumhara naya raja,” immediately establishes his authority. Clad in elaborate golden armour with a menacing aura surrounding him, Yash owns every frame he appears in. His body language, expressions and sheer screen presence make Ravana look every bit as powerful and intimidating as one would expect from the ruler of Lanka.
The trailer then shifts gears as Lord Vishnu appears in his divine form while the narration reminds viewers that whenever evil threatens the world, the protector arrives to restore balance. Visually, the sequence is among the trailer’s finest moments. Surrounded by Sheshnag while holding the lotus and conch, the divine imagery looks majestic and instantly sets the mythological tone.
Ranbir Kapoor is then introduced as Lord Rama. The trailer follows his transformation from a calm prince dressed in saffron robes to a warrior preparing to fulfil his destiny. His interactions with King Dasharatha, portrayed by Arun Govil, along with glimpses of his exile and eventual confrontation with Ravana, establish the broad narrative without revealing every major moment.
Beyond the lead cast, the trailer offers brief but intriguing glimpses of several key characters. Lara Dutta steps into the role of Kaikeyi, whose choices change the course of the epic. Rakul Preet Singh appears as Shurpanakha, while veteran actress Shobana plays Kaikesi, Ravana’s mother. Vivek Oberoi is also introduced as Vidyutjihva, the demon prince and Shurpanakha’s husband.
Ramayana Trailer Review
One thing that immediately stands out is the sheer scale of the production. From the magnificent streets of Ayodhya to the towering golden kingdom of Lanka, every frame reflects the enormous effort that has gone into recreating this world. The production design is lavish, the costumes appear authentic and the cinematography gives the film an international visual appeal. Unlike the earlier glimpse released this year, the visual effects show noticeable improvement throughout the trailer. The battle sequences, the massive creatures and the fantasy elements blend well into the overall presentation.
The editing also deserves praise. Despite introducing multiple important characters, the trailer maintains a steady pace and gradually builds towards the inevitable clash between Rama and Ravana. It never feels rushed despite covering significant portions of the story.
Watch Ramayana Part 1 trailer:
However, where the trailer truly surprises is by choosing restraint over excessive reveals. Sunny Deol’s Lord Hanuman, one of the film’s biggest attractions, is deliberately kept away from the spotlight. Similarly, Kumbhakarna and several Vanara characters remain hidden, suggesting that the makers are still holding back some of their biggest reveals.
Biggest Strength Of Ramayana Trailer
There is absolutely no denying that Yash walks away as the biggest winner of the trailer. Every appearance of Ravana feels impactful. Whether he is addressing his followers or confidently declaring the arrival of “Ravana Raj,” he brings exactly the kind of charisma, arrogance and menace the character demands. More importantly, he never appears theatrical for the sake of it. His performance, at least from what the trailer reveals, feels controlled and commanding.
The scale is another undeniable highlight. It is easily among the grandest trailers ever produced in Indian cinema. The kingdoms, forests, battlefields and celestial sequences have all been mounted with remarkable ambition. Credit must also go to the VFX team for significantly improving the visual quality compared to the earlier promotional material and teaser.
Rakul Preet Singh also leaves a positive impression as Surpanakha despite limited screen time. Lara Dutta appears convincing as Kaikeyi, while Arun Govil’s presence naturally adds a layer of nostalgia for audiences who grew up watching Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan.
Perhaps the smartest decision by the makers is not revealing Lord Hanuman. While many fans may have expected Sunny Deol’s grand introduction, keeping him hidden creates curiosity and gives audiences something significant to look forward to before the film’s release.
Where The Trailer Falls Short
Despite all its visual brilliance, the trailer struggles in one area that lies at the very heart of Ramayana—emotion. Ramayana has never been remembered purely because of its battles or spectacle. It has endured for centuries because of the emotional connection audiences feel with Lord Rama, Mata Sita, Lakshman, Lord Hanuman and every major character. That emotional depth is surprisingly limited or you can say missing in the trailer.
Ranbir Kapoor is undoubtedly one of the finest actors of his generation, but throughout most of the trailer, I found myself watching Ranbir Kapoor as an actor rather than Lord Rama. His dialogue delivery feels unusually restrained, and some of the lines that should have carried emotional weight come across flatter than expected. Perhaps the complete film will provide greater context, but based solely on the trailer, that divine presence associated with Lord Rama isn’t consistently felt.
A similar concern arises with Sai Pallavi’s portrayal of Mata Sita. While she appears graceful on screen, the spiritual aura and serene divinity traditionally associated with the character don’t quite come across in the footage shown. She looks miscast in the film as what we have scene from the trailer. It is too early to draw conclusions, but the trailer alone doesn’t completely convince on that front.
The music is another area where expectations were significantly higher. The collaboration between A.R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer sounded extraordinary on paper, but the background score in the trailer doesn’t leave the kind of lasting impact one would expect from two legendary composers. Ironically, despite all the criticism directed at Adipurush, its background score and songs managed to create a much stronger emotional connection with the story. Here, that emotional pull feels surprisingly muted.
Final Thoughts
There is no question that Ramayana Part 1 is among the most visually ambitious films ever attempted in Indian cinema on the budget of Rs 4000 crore (both parts combined). Nitesh Tiwari deserves appreciation for presenting the epic on such a grand canvas, and the improvements in visual effects are clearly visible. Yash emerges as the trailer’s biggest highlight, while the production design, action sequences and world-building consistently impress.
At the same time, the trailer left me wanting a deeper emotional connection. Spectacle alone has never been the soul of Ramayana. The epic has always resonated because of its heart, its values and its ability to make audiences feel every sacrifice and every relationship. That emotional resonance is where this trailer falls slightly short. Adipurush also has big cast and even better music, but the audience rejected it because the film was unable to create that emotional connection.
Having said that, this is only the first full trailer of the film. The makers have wisely kept several major moments hidden, and there is every possibility that the complete film delivers the emotional depth that the trailer only hints at. For the sake of Indian cinema, I genuinely hope Ramayana Part 1 becomes the landmark adaptation audiences have been waiting for, because if it succeeds, it could redefine the scale and global perception of mythological storytelling from India.
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