The Los Angeles screening has brought early applause for the cast and visual scale, alongside criticism of the storytelling and music.
October 28, 2026
The first reactions to Ramayana: Rise of a Legend have arrived following its Los Angeles premiere on October 27. Ranbir Kapoor and Yash are receiving praise for their performances as Lord Rama and Ravana, while some early viewers have questioned the film’s pacing, emotional depth and technical execution. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the film is scheduled to open worldwide on November 5, 2026.
The responses offer an early look at how the adaptation is being received ahead of its theatrical release. They remain individual assessments from a limited screening, with wider audience reactions still to come.
Where Was the Ramayana LA Premiere Held?
The invitation-only premiere took place at the David Geffen Theatre inside the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles. The film was presented in 3D, with Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Yash, director Nitesh Tiwari and producer Namit Malhotra attending.
Jada Pinkett Smith, Jonathan Scott and Poorna Jagannathan were also among the guests reported at the event. The screening introduced the completed film to an international audience shortly before its cinema release.
The event carried a festive dress theme ahead of Diwali. According to NDTV Profit, guests were asked to wear traditional Indian attire, bringing an Indian cultural setting to the Hollywood premiere.
Ranbir Kapoor and Yash Lead the Positive Reactions
Performances have been a recurring point of praise in the first responses.
Entertainment journalist Rama, posting through Rama’s Screen, responded positively to the cast, action and visual presentation. Reviewer Theresa Simoni also praised Ranbir Kapoor, saying his portrayal of Rama had moved her to tears.
Yash’s Ravana earned appreciation even in a more critical assessment. The X account Venky Reviews singled out his performance, particularly his introduction, while expressing reservations about other parts of the film.
Sai Pallavi, who plays Sita, also received positive mentions in the early coverage, including appreciation for her screen presence.
Why Viewers Are Comparing Ramayana to The Lord of the Rings
One enthusiastic reaction compared the experience of watching Ramayana with seeing the first The Lord of the Rings film. The response focused on the production’s size, its epic storytelling and an ending that left the viewer eager for the next chapter.
That comparison reflects one viewer’s enthusiasm. It should not be read as an established critical consensus or a measure of the film’s eventual commercial performance.
Pacing, Music and VFX Draw Criticism
The first reactions have not been uniformly positive.
Moneycontrol’s report on the screening describes a divide between appreciation for the performances and visual scale, and concerns about the execution. Some responses questioned the pacing, while others found portions of the visual effects less convincing.
The music has also divided viewers. Positive reactions praised the overall presentation, but critical responses questioned whether the score supplied the emotional force expected from an adaptation of the epic.
These differing assessments leave a central question for the theatrical release: whether the film’s large action sequences and visual presentation sustain its emotional story across the full running time.
Why the Los Angeles Screening Matters
Producer Namit Malhotra has described the premiere as part of an effort to reach mainstream Western viewers.
Speaking to PTI, as reported by NDTV Profit, he explained that the event was intended to introduce the film to audiences beyond the Indian community in the United States. The LA screening therefore served as an early test of how this adaptation might connect with viewers from different cultural backgrounds.
Ramayana Release Date, Languages and Formats
The first instalment is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on November 5, 2026, with screenings planned in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam. An IMAX release is also planned.
NDTV Profit reports that Sony Pictures is handling international distribution outside India, while Dharma Productions is distributing the film in the Hindi-speaking market.
For now, the LA premiere has produced both enthusiasm and reservations. The November release will bring a much broader test of the film’s performances, storytelling and presentation.
