Ramayana Trailer Shifts Focus to the Battle Between Lord Ram and Raavan

After months of anticipation and an earlier glimpse that divided opinion online, the makers of Ramayana have finally unveiled the film’s first full-length trailer. Released during Brahma Muhurat at 4:15 am on July 30, the four-minute preview offers the clearest look yet at director Nitesh Tiwari’s ambitious adaptation of the Indian epic, introducing the worlds of Ayodhya and Lanka while setting up the central conflict between Ranbir Kapoor’s Lord Ram and Yash’s Raavan.

Unlike the teaser released earlier this year, the new Ramayana trailer spends less time showcasing visual spectacle and instead focuses on storytelling, character arcs and the emotional stakes that drive the epic. The preview establishes Raavan’s growing dominance, the birth of Lord Ram as Lord Vishnu’s avatar, and the journey that ultimately leads to the battle between good and evil.

The trailer opens with Yash’s Raavan, who is shown making a dramatic entrance before declaring the beginning of his reign. It then moves through glimpses of Lanka, the Pushpak Vimaan and the expanding power of the demon king, presenting him as a formidable force long before his confrontation with Ram.

Soon afterwards, the narrative shifts to Ayodhya, where Lord Vishnu takes birth as Prince Ram to restore balance in the world. The trailer introduces Ranbir Kapoor as the prince of Ayodhya through sequences featuring his family, his training and his early life before destiny changes the course of his journey.

Ramayana Trailer Introduces Sita, Lakshman and the Journey Towards Exile

The Ramayana trailer also offers the first extended look at Sai Pallavi as Sita. Her character is introduced through scenes depicting her marriage to Ram before the story moves towards one of the most significant turning points of the epic—Ram’s exile from Ayodhya.

Following Queen Kaikeyi’s decision, Ram leaves the kingdom accompanied by Sita and his younger brother Lakshman, played by Ravi Dubey. The trailer also features Arun Govil as King Dashratha in emotional moments surrounding Ram’s departure from Ayodhya, while Lara Dutta appears as Kaikeyi.

The film’s supporting cast also receives brief introductions. Rakul Preet Singh appears as Shurpanakha, whose encounter with Ram and Lakshman marks another key moment in the narrative. The trailer additionally includes glimpses of Vivek Oberoi, Saurabh Sachdeva, Kunal Kapoor, Shobana, Faisal Malik and several other cast members.

One notable omission, however, is Sunny Deol’s Hanuman. Despite being one of the most anticipated characters in the film, the trailer does not reveal his appearance, leading many viewers to speculate that the makers are saving the character for a later promotional campaign or for Ramayana: Part II.

Ramayana Trailer Earns Praise for Yash, Improved VFX and Music, While Ranbir Kapoor Draws Mixed Reactions

Within hours of its release, the Ramayana trailer generated widespread discussion across social media platforms.

Among the biggest talking points was Yash’s portrayal of Raavan. Although he appears only briefly, many viewers described his screen presence as one of the trailer’s standout elements, with several calling his casting one of the film’s strongest decisions.

Ranbir Kapoor’s performance as Lord Ram, meanwhile, received a more divided response. While many viewers appreciated his restrained portrayal, arguing that it reflected Lord Ram’s calmness, discipline and dignity, others felt his dialogue delivery lacked the impact they had expected from the iconic character.

The trailer also prompted fresh discussion about the film’s visual effects. The first promotional asset released in April had received criticism from sections of the internet, particularly over its CGI. Following the release of the full trailer, many users noted visible improvements in the VFX, colour grading, creature design and overall presentation, with several saying the film now looked significantly more polished than the earlier glimpse.

Another aspect that drew praise was the background score by A.R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer. Their collaboration accompanies the transition from Ayodhya to Lanka and builds steadily towards the promised clash between Ram and Raavan, adding to the scale of the trailer.

The trailer was originally scheduled to release on July 24 but was postponed after the makers finalised a global distribution partnership with Sony Pictures Entertainment. Before its public launch, exclusive footage from the film had also been showcased at San Diego Comic-Con 2026, generating international attention.

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana is produced by Namit Malhotra under Prime Focus Studios and DNEG, with Yash also serving as a co-producer. The film also made headlines after T-Series acquired the music rights for both parts in a reported ₹75 crore deal.

Apart from Ranbir Kapoor, Yash and Sai Pallavi, the film stars Sunny Deol, Ravi Dubey, Arun Govil, Lara Dutta, Rakul Preet Singh, Vivek Oberoi, Kunal Kapoor, Shobana, Saurabh Sachdeva and Faisal Malik.

Ramayana: Part I is scheduled to arrive in theatres on November 5 during the Diwali weekend, while Part II is slated for release in Diwali 2027.