Ramayana Celebrity Reviews: Karan Johar and Badshah Praise Ranbir Kapoor’s Epic Film
The much-awaited mythological spectacle Ramayana: Part 1, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi and Yash, has finally arrived in theatres, and the film is already generating considerable excitement among audiences and celebrities. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the ambitious cinematic adaptation of the Indian epic has attracted appreciation from several prominent personalities in the entertainment industry.
Among the first celebrities to share their reactions were filmmaker Karan Johar and rapper Badshah. While Karan Johar praised the film’s entire cast and crew, particularly highlighting Ranbir Kapoor’s portrayal of Lord Rama, Badshah revealed that watching the film made him emotional despite being familiar with the Ramayana story since childhood.
Their reactions have added another dimension to the excitement surrounding the film. Several other celebrities, including SS Rajamouli, Rishab Shetty and Kunal Kapoor, have also appreciated the film’s storytelling, performances and visual presentation.
Karan Johar Calls Ramayana a Remarkable Cinematic Achievement
Filmmaker Karan Johar shared an elaborate review of Ramayana on his social media account after watching the film. Expressing his admiration for the project, he described the epic as a story deeply connected to India’s cultural heritage, values and traditions.
According to Karan, the Ramayana is a story that generations have grown up reading, watching and listening to. However, bringing such a familiar and emotionally significant narrative to the big screen on such an ambitious scale is an extraordinary achievement.
He congratulated the entire team for successfully transforming the timeless epic into a cinematic experience.
Karan also appreciated producer Namit Malhotra and director Nitesh Tiwari for their vision, courage and conviction. He acknowledged the dedication required to bring such a massive project to life and praised the technical and creative teams involved in the production.
The filmmaker further described himself as an inspired filmmaker and a proud Indian moviegoer after watching the film.
Ranbir Kapoor Wins Karan Johar’s Appreciation as Lord Rama
One of the biggest highlights of Karan Johar’s review was his appreciation for Ranbir Kapoor’s performance as Lord Rama.
Playing such an iconic and culturally significant character comes with enormous expectations. Ranbir’s casting had generated considerable discussion even before the film’s release, with audiences curious about how the actor would approach the role.
Karan praised the actor for portraying Lord Rama with restraint, grace and emotional depth. He particularly appreciated Ranbir’s expressive eyes and the meditative quality of his performance.
According to the filmmaker, convincing audiences of the divine goodness and humanity associated with Lord Rama requires exceptional acting ability.
He also described the role as one of the most challenging performances of Ranbir’s career and expressed confidence that the actor had delivered a memorable portrayal.
The appreciation from Karan Johar is particularly noteworthy because the character of Lord Rama holds a special place in Indian storytelling and popular culture.
Sai Pallavi Receives Praise for Her Portrayal of Sita
Karan Johar also had wonderful words for Sai Pallavi, who plays Goddess Sita in Ramayana: Part 1.
The actress is known for her expressive performances and natural acting style. Her casting as Sita generated significant interest among movie lovers, particularly those familiar with her previous work in Indian cinema.
Karan described her portrayal as graceful, convincing and emotionally powerful.
He appreciated the way Sai Pallavi represented Sita’s sacrifice, unconditional love and strength. Her performance was among the aspects of the film that particularly impressed the filmmaker.
The character of Sita is central to the Ramayana, and portraying her requires sensitivity and emotional understanding. The early celebrity reactions suggest that Sai Pallavi’s performance has made a strong impression.
Yash’s Powerful Performance as Ravana Impresses Karan Johar
Another major talking point from Karan Johar’s review was his appreciation for Yash, who plays Ravana.
Following the enormous popularity of the KGF franchise, Yash’s appearance in a mythological epic has been one of the most anticipated elements of Ramayana.
Karan praised the actor’s powerful screen presence, describing him as mesmerising. He also appreciated the way Yash commands attention whenever he appears on screen.
The filmmaker particularly highlighted the sequence involving Ravana’s multiple inner voices, calling it an outstanding cinematic moment.
Yash’s portrayal is expected to be one of the film’s major attractions, especially considering the complexity of Ravana as a character.
Rather than being a straightforward antagonist, Ravana represents ambition, power, knowledge and pride. The character’s psychological dimensions make the performance especially challenging.
Badshah Gets Emotional After Watching Ramayana
Rapper Badshah also shared his reaction after watching Ramayana, and his response quickly attracted attention.
Taking to X, the musician revealed that the film made him emotional even though he had known the Ramayana story since childhood.
He appreciated the breathtaking visuals, realistic character presentations and powerful background music.
Badshah also praised the performances of Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Yash, Ravie Dubey, Lara Dutta, Arun Govil and Rakul Preet Singh.
One particular sequence that caught his attention was the Jatayu episode. He described it as an especially impressive moment in the film.
The rapper also encouraged audiences to watch the movie in theatres, expressing his admiration for the overall cinematic experience.
His reaction highlights how the film’s emotional storytelling and visual presentation have connected with viewers who are already familiar with the epic.
Badshah Gives Special Credit to Casting Director Mukesh Chhabra
Apart from appreciating the performances, Badshah specifically praised casting director Mukesh Chhabra for assembling the film’s impressive ensemble.
He credited the casting choices as one of the major strengths of Ramayana.
Badshah particularly appreciated Lara Dutta’s selection as Kaikeyi and Ravie Dubey’s casting as Lakshman.
According to him, these casting decisions were particularly effective.
Casting plays an important role in a film like Ramayana because audiences already have established expectations about its iconic characters.
The actors must bring their own interpretations while respecting the emotional and cultural significance of the original story.
Mukesh Chhabra also shared his appreciation for the film, describing it as a beautiful cinematic experience and expressing excitement about audiences watching it.
SS Rajamouli Praises Ramayana’s Visual Grandeur
Celebrated filmmaker SS Rajamouli also appreciated the film, particularly its spectacular visuals.
Known for creating large-scale cinematic experiences through films such as Baahubali and RRR, Rajamouli’s appreciation adds to the industry’s interest in the project.
He acknowledged the performances of Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi and Yash, while appreciating the visual ambition behind the adaptation.
For a story as expansive as the Ramayana, visual storytelling plays a significant role in bringing its world to life.
From the kingdoms and landscapes to the characters and larger-than-life sequences, the production aims to present the familiar epic through an ambitious cinematic format.
Rishab Shetty Appreciates Nitesh Tiwari and Namit Malhotra
Actor and filmmaker Rishab Shetty also expressed appreciation for Ramayana.
He congratulated director Nitesh Tiwari and producer Namit Malhotra for bringing the epic story to the big screen.
Rishab particularly praised Ranbir Kapoor’s portrayal of Lord Rama and appreciated Yash’s performance as Ravana.
His reaction reflects the interest the project has generated among filmmakers and actors from different industries.
With a story that has travelled across generations and regions, Ramayana has the potential to connect with audiences beyond language and geographical boundaries.
Kunal Kapoor Expresses Pride in Being Part of Ramayana
Actor Kunal Kapoor, who is also associated with the project, shared an emotional message about the film.
He explained that a story as significant as the Ramayana requires people who genuinely believe in its importance and understand its universal appeal.
He appreciated the ambition behind the production and expressed pride in being part of a project that aims to bring an Indian epic to audiences worldwide.
His comments also highlighted the importance of conviction and imagination in filmmaking.
Ramayana: Part 1 Cast, Director and Production Details
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana: Part 1 features an impressive ensemble cast.
Here are the key details:
- Film: Ramayana: Part 1
- Director: Nitesh Tiwari
- Producer: Namit Malhotra
- Lord Rama: Ranbir Kapoor
- Goddess Sita: Sai Pallavi
- Ravana: Yash
- Lakshman: Ravie Dubey
- Hanuman: Sunny Deol
- Dasharath: Arun Govil
- Kaikeyi: Lara Dutta
- Kaushalya: Indira Krishnan
- Shurpanakha: Rakul Preet Singh
- Jatayu: Anupam Kher
The film also features several other actors, including Vivek Oberoi, Kajal Aggarwal and Kunal Kapoor.
The music has been composed by Hans Zimmer and AR Rahman, bringing together two internationally recognised musical talents for this ambitious Indian production.
The film released worldwide on November 5, 2026. The second instalment of the two-part cinematic saga is expected to arrive in 2028.
Why Ramayana Is Generating So Much Excitement
The excitement surrounding Ramayana is not limited to its star cast or production scale. The film is based on one of India’s most recognised epics, which has remained an important part of the country’s storytelling traditions for generations.
The challenge for the filmmakers was to present a familiar story in a fresh cinematic format while retaining its emotional and cultural significance.
The involvement of Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi and Yash has further increased audience interest.
Another major attraction is the film’s technical team. With Hans Zimmer and AR Rahman associated with its music, expectations surrounding the soundtrack and background score have been particularly high.
Celebrity reactions have also helped create conversations around the film on social media.
While Karan Johar focused on the performances and filmmaking, Badshah highlighted the emotional impact, visuals and music. SS Rajamouli and Rishab Shetty appreciated its cinematic ambition.
Together, these reactions have made Ramayana one of the most talked-about theatrical releases of the week.
Final Verdict
Ramayana: Part 1 has generated encouraging reactions from several prominent personalities in the Indian entertainment industry. From Karan Johar’s detailed appreciation of Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi and Yash to Badshah’s emotional response, the film has clearly become a major talking point following its theatrical release.
With an ambitious production, an impressive ensemble cast and music by Hans Zimmer and AR Rahman, the film represents a significant cinematic undertaking.
Now, the biggest question is how audiences across India and international markets respond to this much-anticipated adaptation of the timeless Ramayana.
