195-minute 'Ramayana' opens in U.S. theaters

The Hindi-language epic 'Ramayana: Rise of Legend' opened in U.S. theaters on Thursday, November 5. The film presents a 195-minute uncut version with English subtitles, offering audiences a full look at the first half of the story.

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the movie adapts Valmiki’s ancient Hindu poem. The narrative follows Prince Rama, an avatar of the deity Vishnu, and his wife Sita. They face a fourteen-year exile and a conflict with the demon king Ravana, who holds powers granted by Brahma that threaten humanity.

The production is the first of a planned two-part series. In India, the title is 'Ramayana: Part 1.' A separate dubbed version runs 166 minutes, but the subtitled cut represents the director’s original vision without edits for Western audiences.

KTVK critic reviews noted the film’s dense mythology. The story introduces dozens of characters, creatures, and locales. Prince Rama does not appear on screen until thirty minutes into the runtime. This pacing reflects the vast scope of the source material, which dates back to 750 BCE to 500 BCE.

Audiences may face a cultural barrier. The critic admitted to grasping the plot for only about half the screening. Similar character costumes and hairstyles made it difficult to distinguish figures. However, the visual spectacle maintained viewer interest despite the complexity.

The soundtrack, composed by Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman, received specific praise. The critic cited the music as a key element that kept attention focused, particularly during a sequence one hour into the film. The score utilizes traditional instruments like the sitar alongside modern orchestration.

Visual effects by DNEG presented a mixed result. Some giant troll-like creatures and compositing appeared rough, while flying white elephants with Pegasus wings looked impressive. The art direction, including costumes and sets, was described as immaculate. Performances by Yash as Ravana and Lara Dutta as Queen Kaikeyi stood out, while Ranbir Kapoor’s portrayal of Rama was noted as fairly dry.

The film concludes with a setup for the second installment. The final thirty minutes serve as a drawn-out lead-in to 'Part 2,' which is set for release in November 2028. The critic rated the movie six out of ten, acknowledging it as a mixed bag that is enthralling despite its length.