Ramayana vs Adipurush: How Ranbir Kapoor and Yash's Film Corrects the Biggest Mistakes of Prabhas' Mythological Epic

Mumbai: Ever since the first look of Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana was unveiled, fans have been drawing comparisons with Om Raut's Adipurush, which faced widespread criticism upon its release in 2023. While Adipurush, starring Prabhas, attempted to reimagine the epic with a modern visual style, it was criticised for its dialogues, visual effects, characterisation and deviation from traditional depictions.

By contrast, the makers of Ramayana appear to have taken a more grounded and culturally faithful approach, earning early appreciation from audiences and industry observers alike.

Faithful character designs

One of the biggest complaints against Adipurush was its unconventional portrayal of mythological characters. Several viewers felt that the costumes, hairstyles and overall appearance of key figures did not align with popular depictions from the Ramayana.

In contrast, the first glimpse of Ramayana showcases Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram and Yash as Ravana in looks that closely resemble traditional interpretations. The costumes, jewellery and visual styling have been praised for respecting the cultural and religious significance of the characters.

Improved visual effects

The VFX of Adipurush became one of the film's most criticised aspects, with many viewers describing the CGI as inconsistent and video game-like.

The visuals seen in Ramayana have received a far more positive response. The teaser features detailed environments, realistic lighting and cinematic visual effects, suggesting that the makers have invested heavily in world-building and production quality.

Respectful treatment of mythology

Another major criticism of Adipurush centred on its dialogues, some of which were viewed as overly colloquial and inappropriate for a story rooted in one of India's most revered epics.

Early promotional material for Ramayana indicates that the filmmakers have adopted a more respectful tone, with dialogues and presentation appearing to remain closer to the spirit of the original epic.

Strong ensemble cast

Ramayana also boasts one of the biggest casts assembled for an Indian film. Alongside Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram and Yash as Ravana, the film stars Sai Pallavi as Sita, Sunny Deol as Hanuman and Ravi Dubey as Lakshman.

The star-studded lineup has further raised expectations, with fans eager to see the actors bring the iconic characters to life.

Massive production scale

The film is reportedly being mounted on one of the largest budgets in Indian cinema, with extensive work going into practical sets, action choreography, music and visual effects. Director Nitesh Tiwari, known for films such as Dangal and Chhichhore, has repeatedly emphasised authenticity and emotional storytelling in his projects.

Audience expectations remain high

Despite the overwhelmingly positive response to the teaser, industry experts caution that the film will ultimately be judged on its storytelling once it reaches theatres. While the initial promotional material has impressed audiences, comparisons with Adipurush will likely continue until the film's release.

For now, Ramayana appears to have addressed many of the concerns audiences raised after Adipurush, positioning itself as one of the most anticipated Indian films in recent years.