Hrithik Roshan Reacts To Ramayana's VFX Backlash: "It's Painful To Watch" Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana, a two-part mythological epic, has sparked intense debate in Indian cinema circles, with its visual effects drawing sharp criticism from audiences and critics alike. The film, which stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Yash as Ravana, is set to premiere on Diwali 2026, with a sequel planned for Diwali 2027. Despite its massive budget and ambitious scope, the project has faced early scrutiny, particularly over its use of visual effects (VFX), which have been described as subpar in some teasers. The backlash has prompted Hrithik Roshan, a prominent Bollywood actor and co-producer of the film, to publicly defend the project and its creators. In a detailed Instagram post, Roshan addressed the criticism, emphasizing the importance of contextualizing VFX within the film's artistic vision. "Yes, bad VFX exists," he wrote. "It's sometimes so bad it's painful to watch—especially for me, and especially when it's a film I'm part of." The actor reflected on his own childhood fascination with VFX, recalling how watching Back to the Future during a trip to London as an 11-year-old left a lasting impression on him. "It changed me forever. I became obsessed," he shared, using the anecdote to underscore the subjective nature of visual storytelling. Roshan also highlighted the diversity of VFX approaches, arguing that not all visual effects aim to replicate reality. "It's not all about creating something real," he explained. "Criticism should take into account the film's style and what it's trying to achieve." He urged viewers to approach the film with an open mind, urging them to consider whether the VFX align with the narrative and emotional intent rather than focusing solely on technical realism.#sai_pallavi #nitesh_tiwari #hrithik_roshan #ranbir_kapoor #ramayana
Hrithik Roshan Defends Ranbir Kapoor’s Ramayana Amid ‘Bad VFX’ Debate: ‘Maybe It’s Just a Style You Didn’t Expect?’ Hrithik Roshan has publicly defended Ranbir Kapoor’s upcoming film Ramayana, which has sparked a heated online debate over its visual effects. In a social media post, the actor acknowledged the criticism surrounding the film’s VFX but emphasized the importance of recognizing the vision and effort behind such ambitious projects. “Yes, bad VFX exists. It’s sometimes so bad it’s painful to watch—especially for me, and especially when it’s a film I’m part of,” he wrote. However, he quickly shifted the focus to the broader context of filmmaking, highlighting the courage and creativity of directors and creators who take on large-scale, visually complex stories. Roshan praised filmmakers like those behind Kalki, Baahubali, and Ramayana for their “guts and vision” to push boundaries in cinema. He described their work as a testament to the love for storytelling and the willingness to take risks. “To me, that’s noble. The intention by itself deserves applause,” he said, expressing pride in his fellow Indians who are part of such endeavors. He also reflected on his own childhood, recalling how films like Back to the Future inspired him, and connected this to the purpose of VFX-heavy cinema: to create immersive, emotionally resonant narratives that transcend technical limitations. The actor urged audiences to reconsider how they critique films, suggesting that debates about VFX should be rooted in understanding the story’s intent rather than solely focusing on realism. “So sometimes when you say ‘bad VFX,’ maybe it’s just a style you didn’t expect?” he wrote. “Next time, don’t just ask, ‘Is it real?’ First ask, ‘Is it right for the story?’ Debate it. But debate it with awareness.#nitesh_tiwari #hrithik_roshan #ranbir_kapoor #ramayana_part_i #diwali_release
Ramayana’s First Look Unveiled in Los Angeles, Not India! The first visuals of Ranbir Kapoor’s upcoming film Ramayana were revealed at a private test screening in Los Angeles, marking a significant departure from traditional release strategies. The event, described as a “by-invitation-only” gathering, was attended by a select group of audience members aged 16 to 60. The decision to unveil the film’s first look abroad rather than in India, where the story is rooted, was a calculated move to gauge global audience reactions and refine the film’s narrative before its official debut in the country. The visuals will be released in India on April 2, following a successful screening in the United States. The film, directed by Nitish Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra, represents a massive production with a budget exceeding ₹2000 crores. Industry insiders emphasize that the project’s financial viability hinges on global markets, as domestic revenue alone may not suffice. Film analyst Joginder Tuteja highlighted that the film needs at least 50% of its revenue from international audiences in regions like the U.S., Australia, the UK, Europe, and Southeast Asia. “This is a marketing move to create buzz among distributors, movie chains, and Hollywood influencers,” Tuteja explained. “You’ll see more of these campaigns in the future.” Test screenings in Los Angeles are a common practice for high-stakes projects, particularly those with complex visual effects, such as Ramayana. These screenings allow filmmakers to assess audience engagement, refine the story, and evaluate the film’s appeal across diverse demographics. The practice, previously adopted by studios like DC and Marvel, is now gaining traction among Indian filmmakers, including SS Rajamouli.#ss_rajamouli #ranbir_kapoor #namit_malhotra #nitish_tiwari #joginder_tuteja
Ramayana Teaser: Ranbir Kapoor Debuts as Lord Rama in Epic First Glimpse The highly anticipated teaser for the epic film Ramayana, titled Rama, premiered online with immense fanfare, marking a significant moment for the project. Directed by Namit Malhotra, the trailer was released on the film’s official social media handle, accompanied by a caption that emphasized Lord Rama’s enduring legacy as a symbol of selflessness, duty, and compassion. The clip, which debuted ahead of Hanuman Jayanti, was hailed as a visual spectacle, blending action, adventure, and mythological grandeur to captivate audiences. The teaser features Ranbir Kapoor in the titular role of Lord Rama, marking his first major portrayal of a mythological figure. The trailer offers glimpses of Rama’s journey as both a warrior and a king, showcasing his royal attire, golden jewelry, and moments from his life, including his exile and battles against demons and giants. Yash is cast as Ravana, while Sai Pallavi plays Sita, Sunny Deol portrays Hanuman, and Ravi Dubey appears as Lakshman. The film’s cast also includes Alia Bhatt, who expressed her excitement for the project, calling the teaser “absolutely fabulous” and praising Ranbir’s performance as “beautiful” and “out of this world.” The release of the teaser was accompanied by a global rollout, with previews in Los Angeles and New York, where early reactions praised its scale and ambition. Ranbir Kapoor himself described Lord Rama as “the conscience keeper of billions of people around the globe for centuries,” highlighting the character’s embodiment of compassion, courage, righteousness, and forgiveness. The film’s narrative promises to explore themes of conflict resolution, peace, and the timeless relevance of Rama’s teachings.#yash #sai_pallavi #ranbir_kapoor #ramayana #namit_malhotra
Ramayana’s Lakshman Ravie Dubey Kept Shoot Secret From Wife Sargun Mehta The teaser for Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming film Ramayana was released on April 2, 2026, marking the project’s first official promotional look. The trailer, titled Rama, premiered at special screenings in Los Angeles and New York, generating significant buzz among fans. The film stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, and Sunny Deol as Hanuman. Lakshman, played by debutant Ravie Dubey, is set to make his Bollywood debut in the ensemble cast. However, Dubey’s wife, Sargun Mehta, was unaware of his role in the film until the teaser’s release, as he had kept the project a secret from her. Sargun revealed during an interview on Ranveer Allahbadia’s podcast that Dubey never discussed the film with her, even as rumors about the project circulated online. “We don’t really talk about work at home,” she explained. “Just like he doesn’t know what I’m doing until my projects are announced, I also don’t find out about his work until it becomes public.” This dynamic meant Sargun had no prior knowledge of Dubey’s involvement in Ramayana, despite the film’s growing anticipation. The revelation came unexpectedly. Sargun said she learned about Dubey’s casting through a third party, who casually mentioned his role. “Someone randomly told me, ‘Congratulations, Ravie is…’ and I said, ‘Sssh. I don’t know what you’re talking about — we’re not allowed to tell each other, so don’t tell me,’” she recalled. She later confirmed the news by reading about it online, but admitted she hesitated to ask Dubey directly. “He didn’t even tell me, so I can’t even ask!” she said, highlighting the couple’s unspoken rule of not discussing work. During the film’s production, Dubey maintained a vague approach to his commitments.#nitesh_tiwari #ranbir_kapoor #ramayana #ravie_dubey #sargun_mehta
Ravie Dubey Kept Lakshman Role Secret from Wife Sargun Mehta in 'Ramayana' Ravie Dubey, who plays the character of Lakshman in the upcoming film Ramayana, revealed that he concealed his casting in the project from his wife, Sargun Mehta, for an extended period. The couple, known for avoiding discussions about work at home, preferred to keep their professional lives separate. Sargun only learned about Ravie’s role through indirect means, as the couple rarely shared details about their respective careers. This revelation was shared during a podcast interview with Ranveer Allahbadia, which took place last year. Sargun Mehta explained that the couple’s approach to work-related conversations was mutually respectful. “We don’t really talk about work at home,” she said. “Just like he doesn’t know what I’m doing until my projects are announced, I also don’t find out about his work until it becomes public.” When someone congratulated her on Ravie’s role, she politely declined, stating she wasn’t supposed to know. During the film’s production, Ravie maintained secrecy about his involvement. Whenever Sargun inquired about his whereabouts, he would simply respond, “Kaam pe ja raha hoon” (I am going for work), without mentioning the nature of the project. Sargun admitted her curiosity eventually overcame her discretion. She once asked the driver about the set’s atmosphere, but the driver mistakenly assumed she was referring to Ranbir Kapoor, who also stars in the film. Ravie laughed when Sargun shared the story, adding, “Woh bhi mere bare mein nahi, Ranbir (Kapoor) ke bare mein” (“That too not about me, but about Ranbir (Kapoor)”). The film, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, is set to release in two parts, with the first installment scheduled for Diwali 2026 and the second for Diwali 2027.#nitesh_tiwari #ranbir_kapoor #ravie_dubey #sargun_mehta #ranveer_allahbadia
