The Ramayana is a tale that has transcended generations. It has been read in storybooks, watched on television, heard over the radio, and even found its place in school syllabi. Needless to say, it is one of the most familiar epics in Indian culture. Which raises the biggest challenge for any filmmaker attempting to retell it: How do you present a story that everyone already knows without making it feel repetitive?
The first trailer for Ramayana, which dropped in the wee hours of July 30, attempts to answer that question with grandeur, scale and a star-studded cast. While it's too early to judge the film as a whole, the trailer has already sparked excitement, debate and, of course, plenty of memes.
The trailer opens with Yash as Raavan, and it is an imposing first impression. Ferocious, ruthless and consumed by power, he appears to embody the essence of the demon king. While a complete assessment will have to wait until the film releases, Yash certainly looks the part and seems to have captured the intimidating aura that defines the character.
One of the trailer's most nostalgic moments comes with the appearance of Arun Govil as King Dashrath. For audiences who grew up watching Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan in the 1980s, Govil's face has long been synonymous with Lord Ram himself. Seeing him now portray Dashrath, introducing a new generation's Ram, is both symbolic and emotional—a passing of the torch from one era to another.
That new Ram is played by Ranbir Kapoor. His introduction is undeniably cinematic: riding into battle on horseback before firing an arrow while blindfolded. The sequence is visually striking, but it has also become one of the trailer's biggest talking points. For many viewers, Ranbir Kapoor still feels unmistakably like... Ranbir Kapoor. His dialogue delivery and mannerisms retain shades of his own screen persona, making it difficult for some audiences to completely see him as Lord Ram.
In fact, social media has coined a rather amusing phrase for this phenomenon: the "bunnyfication" of Ram—a tongue-in-cheek reference to Ranbir's beloved character Bunny from Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. Many fans joked that traces of Bunny seem to linger in his expressions and body language, making it hard to separate the superstar from the mythological figure.
If there is one casting choice that has drawn widespread appreciation, it is Sai Pallavi as Sita. She appears graceful, serene and almost ethereal, embodying the quiet strength and divinity associated with the character. Her screen presence feels natural and convincing, making her one of the trailer's biggest highlights.
The first trailer for Ramayana, which dropped in the wee hours of July 30, attempts to answer that question with grandeur, scale and a star-studded cast. While it's too early to judge the film as a whole, the trailer has already sparked excitement, debate and, of course, plenty of memes.
The trailer opens with Yash as Raavan, and it is an imposing first impression. Ferocious, ruthless and consumed by power, he appears to embody the essence of the demon king. While a complete assessment will have to wait until the film releases, Yash certainly looks the part and seems to have captured the intimidating aura that defines the character.
One of the trailer's most nostalgic moments comes with the appearance of Arun Govil as King Dashrath. For audiences who grew up watching Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan in the 1980s, Govil's face has long been synonymous with Lord Ram himself. Seeing him now portray Dashrath, introducing a new generation's Ram, is both symbolic and emotional—a passing of the torch from one era to another.
That new Ram is played by Ranbir Kapoor. His introduction is undeniably cinematic: riding into battle on horseback before firing an arrow while blindfolded. The sequence is visually striking, but it has also become one of the trailer's biggest talking points. For many viewers, Ranbir Kapoor still feels unmistakably like... Ranbir Kapoor. His dialogue delivery and mannerisms retain shades of his own screen persona, making it difficult for some audiences to completely see him as Lord Ram.
In fact, social media has coined a rather amusing phrase for this phenomenon: the "bunnyfication" of Ram—a tongue-in-cheek reference to Ranbir's beloved character Bunny from Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. Many fans joked that traces of Bunny seem to linger in his expressions and body language, making it hard to separate the superstar from the mythological figure.
If there is one casting choice that has drawn widespread appreciation, it is Sai Pallavi as Sita. She appears graceful, serene and almost ethereal, embodying the quiet strength and divinity associated with the character. Her screen presence feels natural and convincing, making her one of the trailer's biggest highlights.