The landscape of Indian cinematic mythologies shifted dramatically on November 5, 2026, as director Nitesh Tiwari’s monumental two-part adaptation ‘Ramayana: Rise of a Legend‘ officially hit the silver screen. Produced on an unprecedented scale with a reported combined budget of Rs 4,000 crore, the film has dominated national headlines, box office advance bookings crossing Rs 130 crore, and intense social media debates.
Amidst the massive wave of audience reviews, X (formerly Twitter) reactions, and critical analysis, validation came from an unexpected yet definitive voice: Sunil Lahri, who immortalized the character of Lakshman in Ramanand Sagar’s iconic 1987 television epic Ramayan.
The Torch Passes: Sunil Lahri Applauds Ravi Dubey
As audiences flocked to theaters to witness Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Yash as Ravana, attention heavily centered on television star Ravi Dubey, who stepped into the legendary shoes of Lakshman.
While pre-release skepticism surrounded various casting choices, Sunil Lahri took to his official social media handles to clear the air, sharing a video and a scene collage contrasting his 39-year-old portrayal with Dubey’s modern rendition. Lahri noted that while his generation operated with minimal technical backing or advanced references, today’s creators have cutting-edge VFX and vast resources at their disposal.
Praising the modern interpretation, Lahri posted:
“नई रामायण में लक्ष्मण के चरित्र में जो मासूमियत और इंटेसिटी झलकनी चाहिए, वह झलक रही है। नई रामायण को सफलता के लिए हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं।” (Translation: “The innocence and intensity that should reflect in the character of Lakshman are visible in the new Ramayana. Heartfelt wishes for the success of the new Ramayana.”)
Ravi Dubey’s Grateful Response
The heartwarming endorsement did not go unnoticed. Demonstrating immense respect for the veteran actor, Ravi Dubey swiftly responded to Lahri’s praise with a deeply emotional public note on social media:
“नमस्कार सुनील जी, आदर के साथ कहना चाहता हूं कि जब आपने श्री लक्ष्मण का पात्र निभाया था, तब मैं बहुत छोटा था। आपके उस चित्रण ने तब से लेकर आज तक पूरे देश के हृदय में अपनी जगह बनाए रखी है… आपसे इतना स्नेहभरा फीडबैक मिलना मेरे और हमारी पूरी टीम के लिए बहुत बड़े सौभाग्य की बात है।” (Translation: “Namaste Sunil ji, with utmost respect, I want to say that when you played the character of Shri Lakshman, I was very small. Your portrayal has held a special place in the hearts of the entire country… Receiving such affectionate feedback from you is a matter of great fortune for me and our entire team.”)
Fans across social media lauded the graceful exchange, calling it a true hallmark of artistic camaraderie.
A Mixed Note: Lahri and Fans Critique the Music
Despite his warm praise for the casting, visual effects, and scale, Sunil Lahri didn’t shy away from offering constructive criticism. Earlier, the veteran actor expressed slight disappointment regarding the film’s musical score.
Collaborating with legendary global composer Hans Zimmer and maestro A.R. Rahman raised monumental expectations. However, Lahri noted that the tracks lacked the deep-rooted local and traditional folk flavors of Ayodhya and Mithila, a sentiment echoed by several sections of social media audiences who critiqued elements like the fusion styles in tracks such as ‘Mangal Rang’.
Nonetheless, Lahri emphasized that as a viewer, he has complete faith in Nitesh Tiwari’s visionary direction and the immense hard work poured into preserving India’s cultural heritage.
Industry Support and X (Twitter) Verdict
The release has sparked massive nationwide discussions, drawing stellar reviews from industry figures. Rapper and musician Badshah took to X to share his raw emotions after watching the premiere:
“You have to watch it. Namit has delivered. Every frame is breathtaking. The characters feel so real. It made me cry… Ranbir, Sai Pallavi, Ravi Dubey, Yash, Lara Dutta, Arun Govil, Rakul. Everyone nailed it. Jatayu scene is insane.”
Similarly, pan-India superstar Allu Arjun extended his support, calling the project a cultural milestone aimed at elevating the global standard of Indian cinema.
Early Twitter reviews highlight the outstanding production design, breathtaking visual sequences—particularly the Jatayu episode and Yash’s fierce entry as Ravana—while noting minor pacing issues in the lengthy runtime.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A: Television and film actor Ravi Dubey essays the role of Lakshman in the modern cinematic adaptation.
A: Sunil Lahri praised the casting and emotional intensity of the performances, specifically appreciating Ravi Dubey’s innocence and dedication, while expressing minor disappointment regarding the film’s music.
A: The musical score for the film has been composed through a historic collaboration between A.R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer.
A: Ranbir Kapoor stars as Lord Ram, and Sai Pallavi portrays Sita, alongside Yash as Ravana.
A: Director Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana: Rise of a Legend is structured as a two-part cinematic event, with the second installment planned for a subsequent theatrical release.
The cross-generational blessing from Sunil Lahri to Ravi Dubey bridges a vital cultural chasm between 1980s television history and the multi-crore blockbuster era of modern Indian VFX cinema. As Ramayana: Rise of a Legend sets unprecedented box office records following its opening day, its ability to satisfy purists while engaging younger demographics will dictate its long-term legacy. With part one establishing heavy emotional and visual groundwork, all eyes now turn to how Nitesh Tiwari and his stellar ensemble cast will handle the high-stakes narrative progression in the second installment.
Manish Kumar began his professional journey in digital marketing and performance marketing, and currently works as a Digital Marketing Excutive and SEO expert. With over 3 years of professional experience, he handles both strategy and execution. Currently, he manages digital marketing and performance marketing at ‘Shabd Sanchi’ (shabdsanchi.com).
