Kumar Bahukhandi
Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram and Sai Pallavi as Sita in Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana, a film carrying high expectations after the mixed reception to Adipurush.-Photo Credit -Instagram@Ranbeer Kapoor
With the release of the first glimpse of Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana, social media has once again erupted into a familiar debate: Can any modern adaptation recreate the reverence that Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan achieved? And more importantly, has Bollywood learned its lessons after the failure of Adipurush?
The new film, starring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, and Arun Govil as Dashratha —the actor who became synonymous with Lord Ram—returns to the epic with enormous expectations. Scheduled for release during Diwali 2026, the film has generated optimism among audiences who are hoping that India’s greatest epic will finally receive the cinematic treatment it deserves.
The Gold Standard: Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan
Long before streaming platforms and visual effects transformed filmmaking, Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan became a cultural phenomenon-Source-Internet.
Arun Govil’s portrayal of Lord Ram in Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan remains one of the most iconic performances in Indian television history.
When Arun Govil appeared on television as Lord Ram, millions of viewers folded their hands before their television sets. Streets emptied every Sunday morning, and the serial transcended entertainment to become a shared spiritual experience.
Its success did not rely on cutting-edge technology or grand visual effects. Instead, it rested on faithful storytelling, dignified performances, respectful dialogue and a deep understanding of the emotions associated with the epic.
Even today, many viewers continue to regard Arun Govil’s portrayal as the benchmark against which every new Ram is measured.
Adipurush: A Grand Vision That Failed to Convince
Prabhas and Kriti Sanon as Lord Ram and Sita in Adipurush, a visually ambitious adaptation that sparked widespread debate over its creative interpretation of the epic-Source-Internet
When Om Raut’s Adipurush was announced, expectations were equally high.
With Prabhas portraying Lord Ram and Kriti Sanon as Sita, the film promised a large-scale cinematic interpretation of the epic. However, following its release, it became one of the most debated films in recent Indian cinema.
Many viewers felt that the characters, visual design and especially several dialogues departed too far from the spirit traditionally associated with the Ramayana. The criticism was particularly intense over some lines written by Manoj Muntashir, which many audiences considered inconsistent with the dignity of the epic.
The controversy spread beyond India, with members of the Indian diaspora also expressing disappointment, arguing that a story revered across generations deserved greater cultural sensitivity.
To his credit, Manoj Muntashir has acknowledged that Adipurush “couldn’t meet expectations.” He has maintained that the film was made with sincere effort, while also expressing pride in its music and hoping that the soundtrack of the upcoming Ramayana surpasses it.
That acknowledgement reflects an important reality: creative effort alone does not guarantee acceptance when adapting a sacred text that holds deep emotional and religious significance for millions.
Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana: A Different Approach
The first glimpse of Ramayana suggests that the filmmakers are taking a markedly different path.
Rather than attempting to radically reinterpret the story, the visuals indicate a greater emphasis on mythology, traditional aesthetics and emotional authenticity. Ranbir Kapoor’s restrained appearance as Lord Ram and Sai Pallavi’s portrayal of Sita have already received positive reactions from many viewers online.
The casting of Arun Govil as King Dasharath is also widely seen as a symbolic bridge between generations—linking the timeless television classic with a new cinematic adaptation.
Whether the film ultimately succeeds will depend not only on its visual scale but also on whether it captures the moral depth, compassion and restraint that define the Ramayana.
Respect Matters More Than Reinvention
Indian cinema has repeatedly demonstrated that audiences are open to fresh interpretations of mythology. However, the response to Adipurush also showed that viewers expect those interpretations to remain respectful of the core values and emotional essence of the original narrative.
For many, Lord Ram is not merely a literary character but a source of faith and inspiration. Any adaptation therefore carries a responsibility that extends beyond commercial entertainment.
At the same time, reactions to films inevitably vary. While many viewers strongly criticised Adipurush and felt its creative choices did not honour the epic, others appreciated aspects such as its music, performances or technical ambition. Public opinion was far from uniform.
A Defining Moment for Mythological Cinema
The upcoming Ramayana now carries expectations that go beyond the success of a single film. It represents an opportunity to restore audience confidence in large-scale mythological storytelling.
If it succeeds in combining cinematic excellence with reverence for one of India’s most cherished epics, it could establish a new benchmark for the genre while paying tribute to the legacy created decades ago by Ramanand Sagar and Arun Govil.
If not, comparisons with both Ramayan and Adipurush will continue to dominate the conversation.
