Varma Hails Ramayana as 'Devotional Force,' Mocks Critics

Director Ram Gopal Varma has shared his fervent praise for Nitesh Tiwari's recently released film, Ramayana: Rise of a Legend, which premiered theatrically on November 5, 2026. Varma described the cinematic adaptation as more than a devotional movie, characterizing it as an "uncompromising devotional force."

In his review, Varma addressed the film's critics, urging the cast and crew to disregard negativity, likening such critics to "barking street dogs" in the face of their significant effort. He underscored the film's ambition, drawing from Valmiki's Ramayan and Tulsidas's Ramcharitmanas, and noted its departure from conventional retellings with intense performances and visceral directorial choices.

Varma elaborated on the portrayal of Rama, stating the hero is depicted as a man facing the end of the world and willfully walking into it, challenging weakness and moving by the logic of power. He highlighted specific emotional beats, such as Rama's grief after Sita's abduction, which was converted into "arithmetic," and the profound presence of Yash as Ravana, who embodies a destructive resolve.

The director also commended Anupam Kher's performance as Jatayu, emphasizing the character's unwavering charge despite severe injury, driven by a mind that refused to yield. Varma noted the impact of these character arcs, illustrating that the film's violence serves as clarity of consequences rather than mere spectacle.