Actor Ranbir Kapoor has responded to criticism of the visual effects in Ramayana, taking a dig at viewers who have been analysing the film’s CGI after watching its trailer on their phones. The actor, along with director Nitesh Tiwari and producer Namit Malhotra, addressed the criticism during a promotional interaction for the highly anticipated mythological epic.
The trailer of Ramayana was released on July 30 and quickly became one of the biggest talking points in Indian cinema. While the film’s scale, cast and ambition received considerable praise, some viewers also questioned the quality and realism of certain visual-effects shots. Parts of the CGI, particularly involving mythological creatures and large-scale sequences, became the subject of online memes and criticism.
Ranbir appeared to take a humorous view of the criticism. Speaking about the reaction to the film’s VFX, he pointed out how the rapid growth of artificial intelligence has changed the way audiences perceive computer-generated imagery. According to him, people have become increasingly accustomed to seeing AI-generated content online, making it easier for viewers to dismiss sophisticated visual effects as something that can simply be produced using technology.
The actor also questioned the ease with which people online now judge complex visual-effects work. He suggested that audiences often do not understand the extensive process involved in creating CGI for a major feature film, including the work of artists, animators and technical teams behind every frame.
Producer Namit Malhotra also addressed the criticism and highlighted the difference between the sophisticated VFX work being done for Ramayana and the AI-generated clips that frequently circulate on social media. He argued that viewers sometimes assume that a visual has simply been created using AI without appreciating the amount of human expertise involved in producing it.
Malhotra’s comments are particularly significant because Ramayana has been positioned as a global-scale Indian production. The film is being produced by Prime Focus Studios in association with Monster Mind Creations and DNEG, the visual-effects company that has won multiple Academy Awards. The filmmakers have repeatedly emphasised their intention to create a visually ambitious adaptation of the Indian epic for international audiences.
Director Nitesh Tiwari, meanwhile, acknowledged that the project has attracted trolling and criticism but maintained that the team remains focused on completing the film to the standard they have envisioned. He indicated that Ramayana: Part 1 is now nearing completion, with the edit locked and the team concentrating on the final stages of post-production.
The VFX debate has been present since the film’s earlier promotional material was released. While some viewers have praised the scale and world-building, others have compared individual visual effects with international productions and questioned whether every shot lives up to the enormous expectations surrounding the film.
The filmmakers, however, have urged audiences to wait for the finished product rather than judging the movie entirely through promotional footage. This is particularly relevant for a project as effects-heavy as Ramayana, where large portions of the final imagery are created or refined during post-production.
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana. The ensemble cast also includes Sunny Deol as Hanuman and Ravi Dubey as Lakshman. The film features music by A.R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer, with DNEG handling the visual effects.
The project is planned as a two-part adaptation, with the first instalment scheduled for release around Diwali 2026 and the second part planned for 2027. The scale of the production has made it one of the most closely watched Indian films, with expectations extending beyond its story and performances to its technical execution.
For now, Ranbir’s response has added another dimension to the ongoing VFX debate. While criticism of CGI remains inevitable for a film of this scale, the actor and the filmmakers appear confident that audiences will have a different experience when they watch the completed film in theatres rather than judging individual frames from a trailer on a mobile screen.