Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana trailer, released during Brahma Muhurat on 30 July, has sparked widespread discussion for its grand visuals, Ranbir Kapoor’s Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi’s Sita, Yash’s Ravana and the score by Hans Zimmer and AR Rahman. Yet beyond the spectacle, the trailer is packed with mythological references that foreshadow the epic’s biggest moments, while also fuelling fresh controversy online.
One striking sequence features Airavat, Lord Indra’s divine white elephant, believed to hint at Ravana’s conquest of Swarga and the battle in which his son Meghnad defeats Indra, earning the title Indrajit.
Another standout is the Pushpak Vimana, the legendary flying palace created by Vishwakarma for Lord Brahma and later gifted to Kubera before Ravana seized it. More than a mode of transport, it reflects the wealth and grandeur of Lanka.
The trailer also reveals the golden deer, which is actually the demon Maricha in disguise. Sent by Ravana, he lures Rama and Lakshmana away, leaving Sita vulnerable and setting the epic’s central conflict in motion.
A brief appearance by Jatayu, voiced by Anupam Kher, honours the loyal vulture king who sacrificed his life trying to stop Ravana from abducting Sita, making him one of the Ramayana’s enduring symbols of courage and dharma.
The trailer has also divided opinion. While many praised its scale, some criticised Lara Dutta’s portrayal of Queen Kaikeyi, arguing that her bordered sari and hairstyle looked too modern for the Treta Yuga. Others applauded her commanding screen presence. The film’s teaser had previously drawn mixed reactions over its visual effects. Ramayana will release worldwide on 8 November during Diwali, with the second instalment scheduled for 2027.
