Spectacle cannot mask a hollow script. Sunil Lahri—whose Lakshman in Ramanand Sagar's defining television epic set the gold standard for screen mythmaking—has broken his silence on director Nitesh Tiwari's lavish big-screen adaptation, 'Ramayana: Part 1'. Posting a candid video review on X, the veteran actor delivered a nuanced yet biting autopsy of the production, calling the viewing a bittersweet experience that trades spiritual reverence for muscular blockbuster staging.
Lahri gave credit where Tiwari's technicians earned it. He conceded that the production values set a rare technical benchmark, commending the film's computer-generated polish and acting ensemble without hesitation.
It is a very big-budget, highly popular film. The VFX is world-class. The film looks visually stunning and is a treat for the eyes. All the actors have performed their roles very well. It is a very heartwarming film, and some scenes are outstanding.
Yet the goodwill stalled the moment dialogue met drama. Lahri argued that the screenplay stumbles precisely where an epic must hold firm—in its emotional depth, reverent language, and narrative completeness.
Halving an ancient narrative to fit modern commercial rhythms always risks severe amputations. Lahri pointed out that Tiwari's cut stripped away pivotal foundational folklore, calling out the total erasure of the episodes featuring Parashuram and Ahilya. Where interactions did survive, the veteran performer found the vernacular jarring and unearned.
In my opinion, some scenes, especially the emotional ones, are weakened by the dialogues. Certain important scenes are missing. For example, the scenes featuring Parashuram and Ahilya are not there. The way Surpanakha speaks to Ramji and the way Parashuram talks to Ramji do not feel appropriate. There are several other weak scenes as well, where the sense of devotion seems lacking. In my view, the film is more focused on power than on devotion.
Taking to his written caption, Lahri pressed the point further, noting that the screen version leans too heavily into villainous gravitas. "There was no sense of divinity or devotion," he wrote. "Several important scenes are missing, and the dialogue in many scenes lacks the dignity that should be present in a film like this. Ravana has been glorified quite a lot."
Tiwari's feature represents the opening chapter of a planned two-part cinematic saga, mounting an ambitious reimagining backed by a star-heavy ensemble across Indian film industries.
| Production Element | Detail | Verified Role / Credited Talent |
|---|---|---|
| Director | Nitesh Tiwari | Dual-part epic feature adaptation |
| Lord Rama | Ranbir Kapoor | Lead Protagonist |
| Sita | Sai Pallavi | Female Lead |
| Ravana | Yash | Antagonist |
| Lakshman | Ravie Dubey |
Critical Takeaway: When vintage custodians of Indian mythological storytelling push back against modern reboots, the friction rarely centers on budget or craft—it centers on reverence. Lahri's critique hits a raw nerve: slick world-building and towering visual assets cannot substitute for dialogue that honors the epic's foundational moral weight.
Public scrutiny around the film now intensifies as the production team submits 'Ramayana: Part 1' for Academy Awards consideration, setting the stage for international voters to assess Tiwari's technical scale against Lahri's core verdict.
| Supporting Lead |
| Lord Hanuman | Sunny Deol | Supporting Lead |
| Jatayu | Anupam Kher | Voice Role |
| Key Ensemble | Arun Govil, Lara Dutta, Rakul Preet Singh | Character Arcs |