Actor Sunil Lahri, celebrated for his portrayal of Lakshman in Ramanand Sagar's landmark television series Ramayan, has offered a candid and mixed assessment of Nitesh Tiwari's newly released big-screen adaptation Ramayana, calling the experience 'bittersweet' while acknowledging its technical brilliance but lamenting what he described as a deficit of spiritual depth.

A Grand Spectacle, But Not a Devotional One

In a video shared on social media on 11 November, Lahri praised the film's production values unreservedly. 'It is a grand spectacle made on a massive budget, and its visual effects are truly world-class. The cinematography is exceptionally beautiful and visually appealing,' he said. He also commended the ensemble cast — which includes Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Yash, Ravie Dubey, Arun Govil, and Lara Dutta — saying all the actors portrayed their characters 'with great sincerity and dedication.'

However, Lahri drew a clear line between spectacle and sanctity. In his assessment, the film is 'more Shakti Pradhan (centred on power) than Bhakti Pradhan (centred on devotion)' — a distinction that, for him, defines whether an adaptation of the Ramayana succeeds on its own terms.

Missing Scenes and Weak Sequences

Lahri identified specific creative choices he found unsatisfactory. He flagged the complete absence of the Ahalya episode and criticised the handling of the Parashurama sequence, calling it 'rather weak.' He also raised concerns about the dialogue, stating: 'I feel that not enough attention has been paid to some of the dialogues and important moments, while a few significant scenes are missing altogether.'

He took particular issue with how certain characters address Lord Ram — noting that neither the manner in which Shurpanakha speaks to Ram, nor the way Sita Ji addresses him, felt appropriate to him. 'There are several other sequences that I felt were weak and lacked the devotional sentiment and divine essence that are integral to the story of the Ramayana,' he added.

In a pointed observation in the video's caption, Lahri also noted that Ravana 'has been glorified quite a lot' — a remark likely to resonate with audiences who approach the epic from a devotional standpoint.

What the Film Does Right, According to Lahri

Despite his reservations, Lahri was careful to acknowledge strengths. 'There are several outstanding scenes in the film,' he said, before reiterating that the visual and technical achievement is genuine. His critique is not a dismissal but, by his own framing, the disappointment of someone who holds the source material to a high spiritual standard.

This nuance matters: Lahri's credibility on this subject is rooted in decades of association with the Ramayana story, making his voice one that a large section of the film's core audience is likely to weigh carefully.

About the Film

Ramayana, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, released in theatres on 5 November 2026. The film features Ranbir Kapoor as Ram, alongside Sai Pallavi, Yash, Ravie Dubey, Arun Govil, and Lara Dutta in key roles. Despite the mixed critical response from legacy voices, Lahri encouraged viewers to watch the film and form their own opinions — a rare piece of diplomatic balance from someone with deep personal stakes in how the Ramayana is told on screen.