Despite impressive box office success, actor Nitish Bharadwaj expresses disappointment over the film's cultural representation.
Ramayana: Part One has concluded its extended first week with a remarkable box office collection of approximately Rs. 554 crore in India. The film, featuring Ranbir Kapoor and Yash, has garnered significant attention, particularly for its Hindi and South-dubbed versions.
On Thursday, the film collected around Rs. 50.50 crore nett, with the Hindi version contributing Rs. 41 crore and the South-dubbed versions bringing in Rs. 9.50 crore. This impressive performance positions Ramayana as the second-fastest film to achieve such success at the Hindi box office, trailing only behind Dhurandhar: The Revenge.
While the film has enjoyed a strong opening, it is now moving past the holiday period, with only Gujarat showing notable holiday-related boosts. The film’s ability to maintain its momentum in the coming weeks remains to be seen, especially as films with religious themes often demonstrate strong staying power.
However, the film’s success has not been without controversy. Actor Nitish Bharadwaj, who previously praised the film and predicted an Oscar win, has since retracted his support. He expressed his disappointment with the film’s interpretation of the Hindu epic, particularly its portrayal of Ravana, played by Yash. Bharadwaj argued that the film alters the moral framework of the Ramayana and undermines its philosophical essence.
In a strongly worded Instagram post, Bharadwaj stated, “I am deeply upset and disappointed with this film. I withdraw my earlier post about it. A spectacle of VFX can never substitute for the core values, philosophical depth and spiritual essence of this Mahakavya.” He emphasised the importance of responsible representation of India’s cultural heritage, questioning whether the film deserved to represent Indian cinema on an international stage.
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana: Part One features a star-studded cast, including Sai Pallavi as Sita and Ravie Dubey as Laxman. The film was released on November 5 in multiple languages and has sparked significant discussion regarding its creative interpretation of one of India’s most revered epics.
