Ramayana trailer slammed by ex-MP Priyanka Chaturvedi over casting, VFX
Synopsis
A former Rajya Sabha MP has compared the big-budget Ramayana film unfavourably to Doordarshan’s 1987 classic — calling out misplaced casting, weak VFX, and bizarre costumes. With the film’s release still months away, the trailer controversy has already made Ramayana 2026 one of the most debated Bollywood projects of the year.
Key Takeaways
Priyanka Chaturvedi , former Rajya Sabha MP from Shiv Sena (UBT) , criticised the Ramayana trailer on 31 July 2026 via X .
She cited ‘misplaced casting, vfx, acting, bizarre costumes and music’ and held up DD Ramayana as the superior adaptation.
The trailer was released in the early hours of Thursday, 31 July 2026 , after being delayed from its original 24 July launch date.
The delay was linked to nationwide student protests demanding the resignation of former Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan .
Lead actor Ranbir Kapoor touched the feet of Sunny Deol and poet Kumar Vishwas at the Pratham Sankalp preview event in New Delhi .
Ramayana is scheduled for theatrical release on 8 November 2026 .
Former Rajya Sabha member Priyanka Chaturvedi of Shiv Sena (UBT) has publicly criticised the trailer of the upcoming big-budget Indian epic Ramayana, calling out what she described as misplaced casting, weak VFX, and underwhelming music. Her remarks, posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, 31 July 2026, added a political voice to the already mixed public response the trailer has received since its release.
What Chaturvedi Said
In her post, Chaturvedi wrote: “Now I know why they kept the Ramayana promo under wraps, simply because it is hardly worth the hype they tried to create. Misplaced casting, vfx, acting, bizarre costumes and music which could have been better. The DD Ramayana will last generations clearly.” The reference to DD Ramayana — the iconic Doordarshan television series from the late 1980s — underscored her view that the original adaptation remains the gold standard for the epic’s screen portrayal.
About the Trailer and Its Release
The Ramayana trailer was unveiled in the early hours of Thursday, 31 July 2026, presenting a heavily VFX-driven retelling of the ancient Indian epic. The release followed a delayed rollout: the team had originally planned to launch the trailer on 24 July, but the event was postponed owing to nationwide student protests demanding the resignation of then-Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan.
Ahead of the trailer launch, the production organised a special preview event in New Delhi titled ‘Pratham Sankalp’ — described by the team as the ceremonial beginning of Ramayana’s journey from Bharat to the world. The event marked the first public gathering of the film’s principal cast, bringing together multiple generations of Indian cinema. Lead actor Ranbir Kapoor was seen touching the feet of veteran actor Sunny Deol and poet Kumar Vishwas at the event, a gesture widely noted in coverage of the evening.
Mixed Public Reception
The trailer has drawn a divided response since its release. Supporters have praised the scale and visual ambition of the project, while critics — including Chaturvedi — have questioned the casting choices and the quality of the computer-generated imagery. The comparison with DD Ramayana, which aired between 1987 and 1988 and remains one of Indian television’s most-watched programmes, reflects a broader cultural debate about how faithfully modern retellings can capture the emotional weight of the original.
What Comes Next
Ramayana is scheduled for theatrical release on 8 November 2026. Whether the trailer controversy translates into box-office headwinds or simply amplifies curiosity will become clearer as the release date approaches. The film’s producers have not yet responded publicly to Chaturvedi’s remarks.
Point of View
And one that will be harder to sustain as the 8 November release date draws closer.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Priyanka Chaturvedi say about the Ramayana trailer?
Chaturvedi posted on X that the trailer was ‘hardly worth the hype,’ criticising its casting, VFX, acting, costumes, and music. She also said the original DD Ramayana ‘will last generations clearly,’ implying the new film falls short of that benchmark.
When was the Ramayana trailer released?
The trailer was released in the early hours of Thursday, 31 July 2026. It was originally scheduled for 24 July but was delayed due to nationwide student protests.
Why was the Ramayana trailer launch delayed?
The trailer launch, initially planned for 24 July 2026, was postponed amid nationwide student protests demanding the resignation of then-Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan.
Who stars in the Ramayana film and when does it release?
Ranbir Kapoor leads the cast, alongside Sunny Deol and poet Kumar Vishwas, who appeared at the Pratham Sankalp preview event. The film is scheduled for theatrical release on 8 November 2026.
What is the Pratham Sankalp event?
Pratham Sankalp was a special preview event organised by the Ramayana team in New Delhi ahead of the trailer’s official launch. Described as the ceremonial beginning of the film’s journey, it was the first public gathering of the principal cast.
