Ramayana opens at Rs 64.85 cr; review hails landmark spectacle

For years, Indian filmmakers have promised a homegrown epic that could stand next to the biggest global spectacles. With Ramayana: Rise of a Legend, director Nitesh Tiwari may have finally delivered it.

The film, starring Ranbir Kapoor and Yash, opened to Rs 64.85 crore net in India on day one, as per The Times of India. North America collections, however, have come in below early projections—a small caution around an otherwise big start.

What makes the familiar feel new

Ram’s vanvas, Sita’s abduction and the inevitable battle with Raavan leave little room for surprise. The review is clear on that. But familiarity is the film’s real test: generations grew up on Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan, and any new adaptation must create its own identity.

The answer here is craft. The film brings in DNEG (Prime Focus Studios), along with artists who worked on major Hollywood productions such as Dune and Odyssey. The review says the visual effects are top-notch and deliver an expansive, immersive world with a precision rarely seen in Indian cinema. That is the difference between a retelling and a spectacle.

Ranbir Kapoor’s almost anti-Animal turn

Ranbir Kapoor’s casting always raised questions: could the actor soften his intensity for Ram? The review answers with one telling phrase—his performance is an almost anti-Animal one. That is not an insult to Animal; it is a recognition of range.

As Maryada Purushottam, the ideal man and embodiment of dharma, Ram demands restraint. Kapoor reportedly reins in his natural fire, letting emotion come through measured expressions and subtle gestures. It is the kind of controlled work that often gets overlooked in big-canvas films, but it is what keeps the film rooted in its Indian ethos and belief in humanity.

Day one by the numbers

The opening of Rs 64.85 crore net in India gives the film a strong domestic start. North America trailing initial projections is worth watching for two reasons: it may reflect scheduling or projection optimism, and it means the film’s international run will depend on word of mouth.

Still, for a familiar story, the first-day number suggests audiences are willing to buy the scale—and the promise of a larger two-part arc.

How to see it

If you are planning a screening this weekend, the review offers a clear checklist:

• Book IMAX 3D rather than a standard screen—the film is built for it.
• Stay through the credits for the post-credits scene.
• Do not expect a plot twist; expect a familiar story executed with unusual craft.
• Go only if you are ready for Part Two anticipation, because the review is already asking for it.

The risk with a tale this well known is that nothing can surprise. The achievement of Ramayana: Rise of a Legend is that it still feels like an event—a very Indian spectacle with global tools, and one best experienced on the biggest screen you can find.

Source: The Times of India