Exclusive KCDesi Review: Ramayana – The Rise of the Legend

Ramayana: The Rise of the Legend — A Grand Mythological Spectacle Worth Experiencing

An exclusive KCDesi correspondent’s review from an invitation-only press screening

Rating: 3.5/5

KCDesi received an exclusive invitation to a press screening of Ramayana: The Rise of the Legend, giving our correspondent an opportunity to experience this ambitious adaptation of the epic on the big screen. This review is based specifically on the English-audio version presented at that screening.

Originally filmed in Hindi, this high-budget, 3D cinematic adaptation brings mythology, visual extravaganza, and larger-than-life storytelling together on a monumental scale.

The film’s ambition is immediately apparent. Magnificent kingdoms, elaborate sets, spectacular action, and a powerful musical score create a grand cinematic experience. While some uneven visual effects and emotional disconnects keep it from reaching its full potential, there is much to admire—and plenty that makes it worth experiencing in a theater.

The Highlights: Grandeur, Performances, and Music

The film’s greatest strength is its sheer scale. Elaborate sets, colorful decorations, imposing kingdoms, and sweeping battle sequences create an immersive mythological world. The production is impressive, and the filmmakers deserve considerable credit for their ambitious vision.

Particularly commendable is the traditional representation of the principal characters. Rama, Ravana, Sita, King Dasharatha, and the queens are portrayed largely in keeping with their established mythological identities and character traits. The film preserves much of their traditional essence, an important consideration when adapting an epic so deeply rooted in Indian cultural and spiritual traditions.

Ranbir Kapoor delivers a commendable performance as Rama, bringing sincerity and commitment to the role. Certain visual effects occasionally make his appearance look overly processed, washed out, or almost animated, but his overall effort remains impressive.

Yash brings tremendous presence and conviction to Ravana. Traditionally imagined as a massive, imposing, and physically formidable figure, Ravana is presented here with a more athletic, fit, and commanding appearance. Yash carries this interpretation confidently, particularly during the action sequences.

The music deserves special appreciation. Soulful, emotionally evocative, and appropriately grand, it is one of the film’s strongest assets. The background score elevates dramatic moments, intensifies the battles, and lends emotional depth to key scenes. The music directors have done an excellent job complementing the visual spectacle.

Another significant positive is the film’s ability to hold our attention. Despite its approximately two-hour-and-fifty-minute runtime, it never felt particularly tedious or boring. The narrative moves along reasonably smoothly overall, and there were moments when we felt we could comfortably sit through another hour or two. That speaks to the engaging nature of the world the filmmakers have created.

A First Chapter That Leaves Us Wanting More

Viewers should approach this film knowing that it is Part One of a larger story. It begins with Rama’s birth, follows his journey into the forest, and concludes with Sita’s abduction by Ravana and Rama beginning his search for her.

That structure gives the filmmakers room to develop the epic across installments. Still, audiences hoping to experience the complete Ramayana in a single sitting may find the stopping point disappointing. The remainder of this timeless story will have to wait for another film.

For us, that anticipation is also a sign of the film’s appeal: its world and characters leave us interested in seeing what comes next.

Where the Experience Could Be Stronger

The visual effects deliver some spectacular moments, especially during the grand battles and large-scale action sequences. Their quality, however, is inconsistent. Certain scenes feel artificial, overly animated, or insufficiently integrated with the characters and their surroundings. At its best, the film is visually magnificent; in a few other moments, the effects interrupt the sense of immersion.

The most significant reservation at our screening concerned the English dubbing. Dialogue occasionally lacked synchronization, natural delivery, and the emotional intensity the scenes demanded. The voices did not always convey the depth, gravitas, and nuance of the characters’ experiences.

This matters especially with the Ramayana, which holds profound emotional and spiritual significance for millions of people. Its relationships and conversations carry as much weight as its battles. The English-audio version sometimes struggled to communicate that connection fully.

These observations relate specifically to the version we watched and should not be read as an assessment of the original Hindi dialogue performances.

Although the film remains engaging overall, some individual transitions feel abrupt. Scenes occasionally appear disconnected, moving from one event to another without enough connective storytelling.

Indian audiences already familiar with the Ramayana may find these passages easier to follow because they know the characters, relationships, and events. Viewers encountering the epic for the first time might occasionally need more context. Smoother transitions and clearer narrative links could make the film more accessible to a broader international audience.

Some character interactions also look overly processed, reducing the natural quality of the performances. These moments make the gap between impressive visual effects and emotionally convincing storytelling more noticeable.

Sai Pallavi delivers a sincere performance as Sita. From our perspective, however, the presentation of Rama and Sita together—and their on-screen chemistry—did not always convey the emotional connection we associate with these characters. This is a subjective response to the pairing and its portrayal, rather than a dismissal of her acting ability.

The KCDesi Verdict

Ramayana: The Rise of the Legend is an ambitious, visually magnificent, and musically powerful big-screen experience. Its production scale, committed performances, spectacular action, and traditional portrayal of the principal characters give audiences much to appreciate.

The film succeeds most confidently when it embraces its grandeur. Its kingdoms, battles, music, and larger-than-life imagery demonstrate a determination to bring one of the world’s greatest epics to the screen with scope and ambition.

Inconsistent visual effects, occasional narrative gaps, and particularly the limitations of the English dubbing sometimes lessen the emotional impact. A couple of fellow audience members we spoke with after the screening broadly echoed these observations.

The Ramayana transcends generations, cultures, and geographical boundaries. Its enduring power comes from its emotions, relationships, values, and spiritual significance, alongside its extraordinary events. This adaptation captures much of the epic’s spectacle, while leaving room for a deeper emotional connection.

Even with those reservations, we recommend watching it on the big screen, particularly in 3D, where its magnificent scale and visual ambition can be fully appreciated.

KCDesi rating: 3.5 out of 5.

A grand cinematic journey—and one that leaves us eagerly awaiting Part Two!

This exclusive KCDesi correspondent’s review is based on the English-audio version shown at the press screening to which KCDesi was exclusively invited.

Essential Cast and Crew

Principal Cast

• Ranbir Kapoor as Rama
• Sai Pallavi as Sita
• Yash as Ravana
• Ravie Dubey as Lakshman
• Sunny Deol as Hanuman

Key Crew

• Director: Nitesh Tiwari
• Producers: Namit Malhotra and Yash
• Screenplay: Shridhar Raghavan and Nitesh Tiwari
• Based on: Ramayana by Valmiki
• Music: Hans Zimmer and A. R. Rahman
• Cinematography: Pankaj Kumar and Mahesh Limaye
• Editor: Huzefa Lokhandwala
• Visual Effects: DNEG
• Production: Prime Focus Studios in association with Monster Mind Creations
• Global Distribution: Sony Pictures Entertainment

Version reviewed: English audio, presented at the press screening attended by KCDesi.

Where to Watch in the Kansas City Area

Planning to experience Ramayana: Rise of a Legend on the big screen? Check the following Kansas City metro theaters for available dates and showtimes.

Links open each theater’s listings on Showtimes.com. Select your preferred date and confirm the film’s language and presentation format before booking. Schedules and availability may change.