‘A Spectacle of VFX’: Nitish Bharadwaj, Actor from ‘Mahabharat’, Critiques Ranbir Kapoor’s ‘Ramayana’ Amidst Its Historic Box Office Success
While the epic film ‘Ramayana’—directed by Nitesh Tiwari, starring Ranbir Kapoor, and produced by Namit Malhotra—is making history at the box office, veteran actor Nitish Bharadwaj has leveled sharp criticism against it. Bharadwaj, best known for his iconic portrayal of Lord Krishna in B.R. Chopra’s timeless television series ‘Mahabharat’, has expressed deep disappointment regarding this big-budget film based on the mythological epic.
The first installment of ‘Ramayana’, produced on a massive budget of approximately ₹4,000 crore, has garnered widespread acclaim from both critics and audiences. Many prominent figures in Bollywood have lauded the film’s grand scale and visual ambition. However, Nitish Bharadwaj; a highly respected figure when it comes to Indian mythological narratives has offered a starkly different perspective after watching the film.
On Instagram, the actor stated that he wishes to retract the praise he had previously offered for the project. Describing the entire experience as deeply disappointing, Bharadwaj candidly remarked that he could not find a single redeeming quality in the film. Dismissing it as merely a ‘spectacle of VFX’, he emphasized that visual grandeur and technical prowess can never serve as a substitute for the core moral values, philosophical depth, and spiritual essence that form the very soul of this timeless epic. Bhardwaj’s criticism comes at a time when ‘Ramayana’ is enjoying unprecedented commercial success at the box office. Within just five days of its theatrical release, the film has shattered multiple records. According to trade analysts, driven by a massive turnout of audiences across the country, this mythological film has surpassed the ₹675 crore mark globally.
While there is no sign of this immense wave of commercial success subsiding, Bhardwaj’s remarks have sparked a fresh online debate regarding the balance between modern cinematic spectacle and traditional storytelling styles in the adaptation of Indian epics.
