Actor Sunil Lahri, best remembered for playing Lakshman in Ramanand Sagar's iconic television series Ramayan, has shared his views on Nitesh Tiwari's much-awaited big-budget film Ramayana. Taking to social media, the veteran actor posted a video review after watching the new adaptation, describing his experience as bittersweet. While he appreciated the film's grand visuals, impressive cinematography and world-class visual effects, he expressed disappointment over the absence of the spiritual essence and devotion that he believes should be central to a story like the Ramayana. His comments have attracted attention, particularly because he remains closely associated with one of the most loved screen adaptations of the epic.
In his video, Sunil Lahri made it clear that he was not dismissing the film entirely. He appreciated the efforts of the actors and technical team, acknowledging that several sequences were visually outstanding. However, he felt that the makers had missed some important emotional and spiritual elements while adapting the epic for the big screen. Sharing his overall reaction, he said, "I watched Ramayan, it's a huge-budget movie, with world-class VFX, the cinematography is beautiful, it is pleasing to the eyes, all the actors who worked in the film did justice to their respective roles, some of the scenes in the film are outstanding, but I think some of the most important scenes and dialogues, no one paid any attention to it." His comments reflected a mixed response, appreciating the technical achievements while questioning certain creative decisions.
One of Lahri's major concerns was the omission or weak presentation of important episodes from the traditional narrative. He specifically mentioned the Ahalya episode and expressed disappointment over the treatment of the Parashurama sequence. According to the actor, these moments carry considerable importance in the larger story and deserve the emotional weight they traditionally receive. He felt that the Parashurama encounter, in particular, lacked the impact expected from such a significant episode. For audiences familiar with the traditional versions of the Ramayana, these scenes are more than just narrative transitions; they contribute to the spiritual and philosophical dimensions of the epic. Lahri's observations have therefore started conversations about how filmmakers should balance cinematic storytelling with the original narrative's cultural significance.
The veteran actor also questioned the dialogues and the overall portrayal of certain characters. In his Instagram caption, he described the experience as bittersweet, writing, "Watched the new Ramayan. It was a bittersweet experience. There was no sense of divinity or devotion. Several important scenes are missing, and the dialogue in many scenes lacks the dignity that should be present in a film like this. Ravana has been glorified quite a lot. Saw new Ramayan, it was a mixed experience, divinity was not visible." His criticism of Ravana's portrayal also became an important part of the discussion. While modern adaptations often explore different dimensions of mythological characters, Lahri felt that the balance between character complexity and the traditional spiritual perspective needed greater attention.
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the ambitious Ramayana features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana. The film has generated considerable anticipation because of its large scale, extensive visual effects and impressive ensemble cast. Its attempt to bring one of India's most celebrated epics to the big screen has naturally invited comparisons with earlier adaptations, particularly Ramanand Sagar's legendary television series from the 1980s. Sunil Lahri's association with that series makes his observations especially interesting for viewers who grew up watching his portrayal of Lakshman. For an entire generation, his performance became closely connected with the character, making his perspective on a new adaptation noteworthy.
Following the video, several social media users joined the discussion, with some agreeing with Lahri's observations and expressing a preference for the devotional atmosphere of the classic television series. Others have been discussing the challenges of adapting a culturally significant epic for contemporary cinema, where filmmakers must balance visual spectacle, character development and traditional storytelling. Lahri's review has once again raised an important question about mythological filmmaking: can impressive visuals and large-scale production alone recreate the emotional and spiritual connection audiences expect from the Ramayana? While viewers may have different opinions about the film, the veteran actor's response has certainly added another dimension to the conversation surrounding Nitesh Tiwari's ambitious adaptation.
Check Out The Post:-