Thumbs up, by Subhash K Jha, Bolly Spice : ...Visually, Ramayana Part 1 is nearly flawless. The frames are impeccably shaped, tilting far enough to skirt immortality. If only the emotional scale could match the visual splendour.... full review

Thumbs up, by Simran Singh, DNA : ...The epic of the Ramayana is driven by two forces: Rama and Ravana. Ranbir Kapoor, the star, outshone himself yet again. This time he will also shut down the naysayers who doubted his acting chops. He brings the much-needed calmness and innocence into his portrayal and was excellent in the emotional moments. The pre-interval scene, where Kaikeyi announces Rama's exile. Rama's conversation with his parents will leave you choked. Yes, he cries and also shows anger, but at the most tense or emotionally broken moment. Ranbir has surely justified Rama's stature with such maturity. Yash as Ravana is the biggest driving force of the narrative. Yes, the first part is more inclined towards Ravana, and it looks like Yash was born to play the Demon King on the big screen.... full review

Thumbs up, by Sushmita Dey, Economic Times : ...The movie features an ensemble cast, and everyone in this epic film puts their best foot forward.... full review

Thumbs up, by Devesh Sharma, Filmfare : ...Ultimately, Ramayana succeeds because it understands that spectacle alone cannot sustain a story of this magnitude. It needs characters we care about, relationships that move us and moments that stay with us after the credits roll. Nitesh Tiwari delivers all three, while giving Indian mythology a visual treatment that can stand alongside the biggest global fantasy productions. The wait for the second part has already begun.... full review

Thumbs up, by Aakash Kumar, Filmi Beat : ...The screenplay does a good job of presenting these familiar moments while building towards the larger conflict that will unfold in the second instalment. The emotional aspects of the story, particularly Rama's relationship with his family, his commitment to dharma, and Sita's decision to stand by him, give the film its heart.... full review

Thumbs up, by Ria Sharma, Free Press Journal : ...Nitesh Tiwari deserves credit for handling a story of this scale. Bringing Ramayana to the big screen is no easy task, especially when the story is already so familiar to audiences. Yet, he manages to keep things interesting.... full review

Thumbs up, by Baradwaj Rangan, galatta.com : ...Ramayana: Part 1 could have been a better movie visually, in the way it is shot. It could have been a better movie in the way the scenes are staged. Every frame that has a crowd feels like people were brought in and dressed up at the last minute. The lived-in feel is not there.... full review

Thumbs up, by Nitin Jain, Glamsham.com : ...Ramayana is not without its compromises, but its ambition, visual scale and fresh character interpretations make it a compelling theatrical experience. This is a story we have heard countless times. The difference here is the opportunity to witness it on a canvas of this magnitude. And that, in itself, is reason enough to experience this epic on the big screen.... full review

Thumbs up, by Rishabh Suri, Hindustan Times : ...To sum it up, Raavan may have had ten heads, but the makers have a rather bigger challenge to deal with: the expectations of an entire country. Part 1 has managed to navigate that minefield, giving us a visually spectacular retelling while staying true to the emotional beats of the epic. The real fireworks are reserved for the next instalment. With Sunny Deol's arrival as Hanuman, the Sanjeevani buti scene and the much awaited war still to come, Part 2 has its work cut out. The good news? The makers seem to know what they are doing. The bad news for Raavan? Well, we all know how this ends.... full review

Thumbs up, by Vineeta Kumar, india today : ...The music deserves a review of its own. Hans Zimmer is arguably the film's biggest creative asset, bringing a sense of novelty and scale that is difficult to put into words. His score gives the film an almost spiritual dimension, particularly during the action sequences and moments that demand a larger-than-life treatment. There is an emotional sweep to the music, a sense of grandeur that makes several scenes feel considerably bigger than what is unfolding on screen.... full review

Thumbs up, by Jaya Dwivedie, India TV : ...Nitesh Tiwari's biggest challenge was bringing a story to the screen that audiences already know so well. The characters and episodes of the Ramayana are deeply rooted in Indian culture. Simply repeating familiar events would not have been enough. The film needed to offer a new cinematic experience.... full review

Thumbs up, by Shubhra Gupta, indian express : ...As is the careful keeping away from the sort of religious bigotry which could easily have made this film something else other than one of the most thrilling stories, full of kings and queens, good guys and bad guys, to come out of India. The scenes with Jayatayu (voiced by Anupam Kher), as a tear trickles down his weathered beak and bloody feathers are movingly rendered: I teared up, just as I had when I read it as a child.... full review

Thumbs up, by Trisha Gaur, koimoi : ...The supporting cast gives the film its depth. Ravie Dubey balances Lakshman’s fierce loyalty and impulsive streak, Arun Govil brings emotional weight to King Dasharatha, and Lara Dutta convincingly shows Kaikeyi’s transformation. Rakul Preet Singh as Shoorpanakha looks commendable on-screen! Meanwhile, Addinath Kothare’s Bharat is the only one who feels a bit off! Sheeba Chaddha’s Manthra and Shobhana’s Kaikasi also work well! Saurabh Sachdeva’s Marich grabs attention, while Faisal Malik’s Kumbhkarna does not. Probably it would be more evident in part 2. Vivek Oberoi’s Vidyutjeeva looked interesting, but the dubbing kept distracting! Talking about dubbing, Sharad Kelkar’s voice for Ravana makes Yash shine ten times in the Hindi version!... full review

Thumbs up, by Mayank Shekhar, MiD DAY : ...But just think about it. Ramayana, IMHO, is not even the most thrillingly complex Indian epic. Mahabharat is. Guess what these filmmakers could achieve with that? This looks like a small step, but a giant leap, nonetheless.... full review

Thumbs up, Movie Talkies : ...The cinematography of Ramayana is exceptional in several sequences, and you simply love the colour palette throughout the film. The background score is fine, while the music is decent. Ramayana is powered by its visual effects, and God damn, what a spectacle DNEG has created here! Seriously, we haven't seen anything like this before in Indian cinema, and this is just the beginning.... full review

Thumbs up, by Isha Sharma, NewsBytes : ...Ramayana is overly occupied with action and unbothered by emotions. The film almost demands you bow to the characters, but they're barely developed. You expect to be swept up in the pathos of Ram-Sita's story, but they always remain strangers. The ambition is palpable, and the visuals are excellent, but Ramayana: Part 1 isn't the instant classic it was designed to be.... full review

Thumbs up, by Goutham S, Pinkvilla : ...Despite its grand presentation, the film occasionally struggles with its pacing. The screenplay rushes through significant events, including Rama's early life, Sita's swayamvara, and the developments leading to his exile, all of which lack the drama and emotional weight they deserve. These important moments could have benefited from more breathing room and stronger emotional development. The uneven pacing causes the overall experience to lose momentum at times.... full review

Thumbs up, by Nandini Ramnath, Scroll.in : ...In the post-interval segment, when the pace picks up considerably, the stellar contributions by the visual effects teams are especially felt.... full review

Thumbs up, by Renuka Vyavahare, Times of India : ...Ramayana is an immersive, larger-than-life cinematic experience and a landmark moment for Indian cinema — one that deserves to be experienced in IMAX 3D. Bring on Part Two, we say! And don't forget to stay back for the post-credits scene.... full review

So-So, by Rashmi Vasudeva, Deccan Herald : ...Ultimately, if you want a Ramayana that makes you reflect on Dharma, righteousness and the consequences of our choices, this isn't it. But for a festive outing with children, popcorn, good visuals and a beloved story told without too manycomplications, it does the job. Just be prepared for a second round of popcorn. It is a long film, clunky in parts; the little ones (and their guardians) may get fidgety.... full review

So-So, by Zinia Bandyopadhyay, FirstPost : ...It is a good film, and it leaves enough to be curious about what comes next. But given the scale of the project, the talent involved and the expectations surrounding it, I wanted to be more impressed.... full review

So-So, by Saibal Chatterjee, NDTV : ...Ramayana Review: On the surface, its veneer of sophistication is impressively consistent but spectacle frequently overshadows substance in Ramayana. The film's gargantuan scale is the first thing that strikes the audience. It remains, for the most part, the only thing that stands out.... full review

So-So, by CHIRAG SEHGAL, News18.com : ...Ramayana is a mixed bag. It scores high on visuals, VFX and scale, with Yash and Ravi Dubey emerging as its biggest highlights. However, a stretched first half, weak character portrayals and rushed handling of important mythological sequences prevent it from becoming the epic cinematic experience it aspires to be.... full review

So-So, by Aishani Biswas, Outlook India : ...Ultimately, the Ramayana is not remembered simply because it contains gods, demons, wars and extraordinary feats. It has endured because it examines human behaviour, moral responsibility, relationships, desire, ego and the difficult choices people make when their duties pull them in different directions. Its spiritual and philosophical dimensions are inseparable from its spectacle. A film of this scale has the opportunity to introduce those ideas to a new generation and to audiences beyond India. That ambition deserves to be taken seriously.... full review

So-So, by sukanya Verma, Rediff : ...At the heart of Ramayana is its purshottam hailed hero. Ranbir Kapoor looks younger and luminous than he did in his introduction film Saawariya. It's one of the most significant usages of digital technology in the film. There's a booming tinge to his baritone that feels like a sound effect. But his robotic rendering is the most soulless Ranbir Kapoor has ever seemed.... full review