Ranbir Kapoor's Ramayana: Part One achieves record collections while facing criticism from actor Nitish Bharadwaj over its cultural representation.
Ranbir Kapoor and Yash’s much-anticipated film, Ramayana: Part One, has made headlines for both its impressive box office performance and the controversy surrounding its cultural representation. Released on November 5, 2026, the film has set a new record for the biggest second Friday in India, grossing ₹56.50 crore, surpassing the previous record held by Baahubali: The Conclusion, which stood at ₹49.50 crore.
Since its release, Ramayana: Part One has been breaking daily box office records, particularly benefiting from the pre-Diwali holiday period. The film’s Hindi version was released later, contributing to its record-breaking collections. Despite a decline in holiday boosts as it enters its second week, the film is expected to continue its strong performance, with projections indicating it could break further records over the weekend.
However, the film’s success has not come without criticism. Actor Nitish Bharadwaj, who initially praised the film and even predicted it would win an Oscar, has since withdrawn his support. He expressed his disappointment over the film’s portrayal of the Hindu epic, particularly regarding the character of Ravana, played by Yash. Bharadwaj took to Instagram to voice his concerns, stating that the film alters the moral framework of the Ramayana and undermines its philosophical essence.
In his post, Bharadwaj highlighted the importance of maintaining the integrity of the characters and the narrative, arguing that visual effects cannot replace the core values of the epic. He described himself as “deeply upset and disappointed” with the film, marking a stark contrast to his earlier enthusiasm.
As the conversation around Ramayana: Part One continues, it raises questions about the representation of Indian cultural heritage in cinema. The film, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, features a star-studded cast including Sai Pallavi as Sita and Ravie Dubey as Laxman, and its ambitious adaptation of the revered epic has sparked both admiration and debate.
