Ranbir Kapoor's Ramayana subject to hate campaign

A day after the release of its first look, director Nitesh Tiwari's upcoming film, Ramayana has been facing plenty of negativity on social media, especially X (formerly Twitter). The arguments against the film range from illogical to constructive, with some users accusing the makers of casting a "beef eater" (Ranbir) in the role of Ram and others comparing the film to the famous TV show of the same name. In an old interview, Ranbir revealed that he likes consuming beef, which surfaced again this time, just like around the release of Brahmastra.

Further, users claim that the TV series is the best adaptation of the epic story, as it has a "better" story with more nuanced characters while lacking the same level of budget, hype, etc., as the Nitesh Tiwari directorial. There are also long-held views resurfacing after the release of the film's first look, such as comparisons between Mahabharata and Ramayana. Many users question the point of adapting Ramayana despite the opportunity to make a film based on a "better" story from mythology. They argue that Ramayana tells its story in comparatively simplistic terms of good versus evil, as opposed to the relatively superior Mahabharata.

Some users also have an issue with the casting of Sai Pallavi as Sita in the film as they deliberately berate her beauty, while others have understandable scepticism about the use of a screenplay by Shridhar Raghavan, known for his work on YRF Spy Universe films such as Pathaan, War, and Tiger 3. There is also discussion about what the right way of addressing the film's title and character names is: Ramayan or Ramayana, Ram or Rama and so on. At the same time, some users rightly call out the makers for the caption—"Our Truth. Our History"—as it is a mythological piece of literature rather than a historical one.

It is interesting to see how (and whether) the makers would respond to the growing negativity around the film. Ramayana has many notable names in front and behind the camera, including Yash for the role of Ravana; composers AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer; Academy Award-winning studio DNEG for the film's VFX; stunt choreographers Terry Notary (Planet of the Apes) and Guy Norris (Mad Max), and production designers Ramsey Avery (Captain America: Brave New World) and Ravi Bansal.

Ramayana is made for the IMAX format, and it is billed as one of the most expensive projects in Indian cinema history. It will release in theatres in two parts, on Diwali 2026 and 2027, respectively.