Ramayana Trailer Updates Monster Design and VFX After Backlash

The official trailer for Indiatimes was released online on Thursday, July 30, following months of anticipation. Producer Namit Malhotra dropped the official trailer at 4:15 am IST, with simultaneous releases in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada. The trailer was unveiled during the auspicious Brahma Muhurta, a release strategy chosen by Malhotra as a tribute to the sacred epic after a last-minute postponement. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the film is the first instalment of a two-part epic, with Part 1 scheduled to release on Diwali 2026 and the sequel on Diwali 2027.

Ramayana Trailer Debuts with Updated Monster Designs and VFX

Following the release, social media users compared scenes from the earlier teaser and the final trailer, pointing out updated creature designs, improved VFX, and a more natural color palette. Fans noted that the makers made noticeable visual changes after receiving feedback on the film’s “Rama Glimpse” released earlier in the year. The biggest talking point centered on a demon featured in the forest sequence, which side-by-side comparisons suggest underwent a redesign to look more Indian and less like creatures from The Lord of the Rings. Viewers also observed that the yellow color grading was reduced to give the visuals a more natural hue.

Star-Studded Cast and Performances Spark Debate

The trailer introduces Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Yash as Ravana. Ranbir’s portrayal of Lord Rama received a mixed response. While several viewers appreciated his calm, restrained interpretation and dignity as Maryada Purushottam, others felt his screen presence lacked the impact expected from the role when compared to Yash. Meanwhile, Yash emerged as a standout performer for many fans, who lauded the KGF star’s commanding screen presence and fierce introduction as the King of Lanka, though some noted his portrayal felt like an extension of his anti-hero image.

The ensemble cast also features Arun Govil as King Dasharatha, Ravi Dubey as Lakshmana, and Rakul Preet Singh as Shurpanakha, whose encounter with Rama and Lakshmana sets up the core conflict. Conspicuously absent from the footage was Sunny Deol’s Hanuman, with reports suggesting the makers intentionally kept the character under wraps for a larger role in the second instalment. Additionally, eagle-eyed viewers and exclusive confirmations revealed that Ranbir Kapoor has a double role, also playing Lord Parshuram in a scene where the immortal warrior sage gifts his celestial bow, Sharanga, to Lord Rama.

Music, Scale, and Production Background

The trailer’s background score drew widespread praise as a major highlight, showcasing a landmark East-West collaboration featuring music by A.R. Rahman blending Indian instruments with Hans Zimmer’s signature cinematic style. The screenplay is written by Shridhar Raghavan and Nitesh Tiwari. While the CGI and visual effects appeared significantly more polished than early speculation suggested, some viewers noted that a reliance on green screens remains visible, leaving certain shots feeling slightly uneven as the production counts down to its late 2026 release.