‘Ramayana’ first reactions are out! What worked and what didn't at the LA premiere

Everyone already knows the exile, the abduction and the war, so a ‘new Ramayana’ has to win people over with how it tells the tale. On the night of October 27, that test began in Los Angeles.
The invite-only preview was held at the Academy Museum’s David Geffen Theatre, with Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, Sai Pallavi and a crowd of Hollywood faces in attendance. The screening was in 3D.

Also Read: Sai Pallavi channels Sita’s grace in a hot pink saree at ‘Ramayana’ premiere 

The event was also a statement. The makers are pitching an Indian epic to the world, not just to the home market.

The Good: Scale, spectacle and big feelings

The loudest praise was for the sheer size of the film. Early reactions singled out its ambition, its visual experience and its authenticity, and one podcast host called it pure cinematic escapism. A Hindi-language roundup of the buzz noted that one viewer compared it to a Lord of the Rings-style epic.

The cast got attention too. One headline said Ranbir Kapoor moved audiences to tears, and the film’s music, composed by AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer, also drew applause. Reports described thunderous applause and a general verdict of “visual treat.” Yash’s performance was among the things reviewers picked out as strong.

The not-so-good: Spectacle over soul?

Not everyone left the theatre glowing. Outlook India described the response as mixed.

Also Read: 18 months, 4500 pieces: Here’s what makes ‘Ramayana’ jewellery special 

The main complaints were:

Emotion versus action: One critic felt the film leans on spectacle and action instead of drama and emotion, which left some of the narration flat and even “serial like.”

A sagging second half: Another reaction blamed the drag on where Part 1 chooses to stop, saying thin material gets stretched across long action blocks.

Music and VFX: A section of viewers was disappointed with the musical score, the pacing and some visual effects. Some posts on X went further and called the VFX poor.

The VFX worry is not new. When the teaser appeared, the internet was already divided, with some viewers comparing the effects to Adipurush.

‘Ramayana: Part 1’ reaches cinemas on November 5, 2026, in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam, with Part Two slated for Diwali 2027.

Note: These are first reactions, not formal reviews.