Bollywood, November 9, 2026: Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana: Part 1 continues to make headlines, not just for its impressive box office performance but also for the appreciation it is receiving from prominent names in the film industry. The latest celebrity to join the growing list of admirers is filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma, who has shared an elaborate review of the film, praising its storytelling, characterisation and Ranbir Kapoor’s portrayal of Lord Ram.
At the worldwide box office, Ramayana: Part 1 has crossed the Rs 500 crore mark within just four days of its theatrical release. According to industry tracker Sacnilk, the film has collected Rs 507.20 crore gross globally, establishing a strong presence in both domestic and international markets.
Varma, known for his distinctive filmmaking perspective, offered an interesting take on the film through a post on X. Rather than describing it as another mythological or devotional offering, he called Ramayana a powerful cinematic experience that goes beyond conventional storytelling.
RGV Calls Ramayana a Powerful Cinematic Experience, Praises Ranbir Kapoor
Sharing his thoughts, the filmmaker wrote, “The #Ramayana is not a devotional film. It is a devotional force. The hero is not a blue god floating above the story. He is a man who has already seen the end of the world and still wilfully chooses to walk into it.”
He further highlighted the film’s approach to character development and its portrayal of power, conflict and consequences. According to Varma, the narrative is not simply about the rise of a kingdom but about the evolution of a mindset that challenges weakness. He also praised the way the film handles violence, suggesting that it serves a larger narrative purpose rather than being included merely for visual impact.
One of the biggest highlights of his review was Ranbir Kapoor’s performance as Lord Ram. Varma specifically pointed to the sequence following Sita’s abduction, where Ram is seen standing inside the empty ashram. He appreciated the emotional depth of the moment and the way the camera captures the character’s grief without relying heavily on dialogue.
Varma also praised Yash’s portrayal of Ravana, describing him as a character who is completely convinced of his own decisions and the destruction they bring. He pointed to the confrontation between Ram and Ravana before the final battle, noting how Yash conveys the character’s determination through his controlled expressions and composed body language rather than raised voices or dramatic gestures.
Another performance that caught the filmmaker’s attention was Anupam Kher’s portrayal of Jatayu. Reflecting on the sequence in which Jatayu attempts to stop Ravana’s Pushpak Vimana, Varma appreciated how the character continues fighting despite his severe injuries. He noted that even as Jatayu falls with his wings broken, his determination remains visible in his eyes. For Varma, the scene represents more than an act of sacrifice; it captures the spirit of someone who refuses to give up until his strength completely fails.
Meanwhile, the film’s box office numbers reflect the strong audience interest surrounding the big screen adaptation. Ramayana: Part 1 collected Rs 238.85 crore nett in India, translating to Rs 285.20 crore gross, while its overseas gross stood at Rs 222 crore.
On its fourth day, the film earned Rs 56.15 crore nett in India across 21,770 shows. The Hindi version led the collections with Rs 36.75 crore, followed by Kannada at Rs 7.25 crore and Telugu at Rs 6.25 crore. The Tamil version contributed Rs 3.15 crore, while Malayalam added Rs 2.75 crore.
Although Sunday’s collection was lower than Saturday’s Rs 69.80 crore nett, the latter remains the film’s biggest single day at the domestic box office so far. Nevertheless, crossing the Rs 500 crore worldwide milestone within four days marks a significant achievement for the ambitious production.
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana and Ravie Dubey as Lakshman. Produced by Namit Malhotra and Yash, the ensemble cast also includes Arun Govil, Lara Dutta, Sheeba Chadha, Kunal Kapoor, Shobana, Rakul Preet Singh, Vivek Oberoi, Anupam Kher and Kajal Aggarwal.
With strong box office numbers and appreciation from filmmakers like Ram Gopal Varma, Ramayana: Part 1 is generating considerable conversation around its cinematic interpretation of the epic. The second instalment of the two part franchise is currently scheduled to arrive during Diwali 2028.