Manoj Muntashir, the lyricist and dialogue writer behind *Adipurush* (2024), has urged audiences and critics to stop drawing parallels between his film and the upcoming *Ramayana* by Nitesh Tiwari. Speaking in Mumbai on Tuesday (August 4, 2026), he called *Adipurush* a “failed attempt,” saying it simply did not live up to expectations—something he doesn’t feel should be glossed over with comparisons.
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## Muntashir’s Take on the Comparisons
In his media interaction, Muntashir expressed hope for *Ramayana’s* success, specifically praising Yash’s portrayal of Ravana: “Yash is a very good actor, and there is no doubt in this. My best wishes will be with every film that brings our story to the world stage. I have a lot of best wishes for *Ramayana*.”
He clarified that while it’s admirable when films that retell ancient epics strive to reach global platforms, it’s counterproductive to measure them solely against one another. “It is better not to compare *Ramayana* with *Adipurush*,” he declared. He added, “There should be no shame in admitting that *Adipurush* couldn’t meet the expectations. People who are associated with the film made it with a lot of effort, but it was a failed attempt.”
Yet, Muntashir acknowledged one area where *Adipurush* succeeded: its music. He expressed pride in how its musical score resonated with the public and wished for *Ramayana*’s music not only to match but to surpass it.
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## The Rise and Fall of *Adipurush*
Released in 2024, *Adipurush* featured Prabhas as Lord Rama, Kriti Sanon as Sita, and Saif Ali Khan as Ravana. With a reported budget close to ₹550 crore, the film opened to anticipation but eventually suffered from harsh criticism, especially for its dialogue and certain depictions.
Despite its hefty financial investment and star power, *Adipurush* fell markedly short at the box office. It failed to recover its production costs, coming more than ₹200 crore under breakeven, after negative word-of-mouth sank its momentum despite a strong start.
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## What We Know About *Ramayana*
Nitesh Tiwari’s *Ramayana: Part 1* is slated for release during **Diwali 2026**, with **Part 2** expected in **Diwali 2027**. The film promises an ensemble cast including Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Ravie Dubey as Lakshmana, and Sunny Deol as Hanuman.
The recently released trailer sets a dramatic tone: Ravana emerges from shadows to enter his dazzling palace and assert dominion over the three worlds. Scenes also include Rama and Sita’s wedding, as well as introductions of key characters, including Arun Govil as King Dasharatha. The musical score, crucial for epic storytelling, is a collaboration between Hans Zimmer and AR Rahman.
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## Why Comparisons Are Weighing Heavily
Comparisons between *Adipurush* and *Ramayana* have gained traction among fans and commentators, mainly because both films adapt the Ramayana mythos, involve large-scale production, and aim to reimagine a story that deeply resonates culturally. Muntashir believes this trend misses the nuances of each project’s ambition, execution, and reception.
He suggests that recognizing *Adipurush*’s missteps—including script weaknesses, presentation choices, and public expectations—offers more honest ground for discussion than merely pitting it against *Ramayana*. His emphasis lies not in critique but in accountability.
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## Why Music Stands Out in *Adipurush*
For Muntashir, the one part of *Adipurush* that remained untainted by criticism was the music. He noted that, despite the film being labeled as a flop, its soundtrack became popular with listeners and achieved considerable success. This, he says, is something to be proud of.
He also harbors a sense of healthy competition, expressing that *Ramayana*’s music should not only match that of *Adipurush*, but surpass it—reinforcing that creative benchmarks can coexist with mutual respect between storytelling ventures.
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## What’s to Come
With its release nearing, *Ramayana: Part 1* is under intense scrutiny and high expectations—both due to its own merit and because it follows the controversial reception of *Adipurush*. Whether it will succeed where its predecessor fell will depend on many factors: script quality, character development, visual execution, and how well it matches audience emotional expectations.
For Manoj Muntashir, the important thing is not winning comparisons but achieving work that around resonates authentically and powerfully, and that accepts its failures without deflection.
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