Ramayana Teaser Sparks Debate: ‘God-Level VFX’ or Overuse of AI? Social Media Reacts

The teaser of Ramayana, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, was released on April 2 on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti, triggering widespread discussion across social media. Backed by producer Namit Malhotra, the film is reported to be mounted on a massive ₹4000 crore budget, placing it among the most expensive Indian projects to date. The 2-minute-38-second teaser introduces Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram and offers glimpses of Ayodhya, exile sequences and forest visuals alongside Sita and Lakshman, before ending with Yash as Ravan and a shot of the Pushpak Vimaan, which has become a major talking point online.

Soon after its release, a section of users questioned the visual quality, with one viral post describing the teaser as "AI slop packaged as god-level VFX" and claiming that "Namit spent 4000cr on AI video".

'AI Slop' Claims and VFX Criticism Trend

The post pointed to inconsistencies such as a blue turban appearing to change colour between shots and a lack of natural movement in hair and costumes, suggesting that certain sequences felt artificial.

The same thread also criticised crowd behaviour, stating that the "crowd isn't accepting him as Shri Ram", with users noting that background characters appeared disengaged and were not showing devotion in key moments. A walking sequence was also described by some as appearing artificial, raising concerns about realism and emotional connect.

Continuity Errors and Scene Confusion Flagged

Further criticism focused on continuity and staging. Users flagged a sequence involving a child, first shown bowing before Ram and later appearing to shower flowers, questioning whether this reflected a lapse in editing or visual consistency. Others pointed to confusion in certain scenes, asking "what is happening behind?" and whether the primary action was taking place in the foreground or elsewhere.

Pushpak Vimaan Scene Faces Sound Criticism

The Pushpak Vimaan sequence drew attention not only for its visuals but also for sound design, with some users remarking that the background audio resembled a "modern chopper", which they felt did not align with the mythological setting and disrupted immersion.

₹4000 Crore Budget Under Spotlight

The reported ₹4000 crore budget further intensified the debate. While some viewers described the teaser as visually appealing and performances promising, others argued that the scale expected from such a massive investment was not fully visible.

Overseas Hype and Reaction Channel Buzz

At the same time, the teaser also received strong support from sections of the audience. A popular reaction channel, Producerreacts, praised the film's potential, stating, "This is gonna take Hollywood by storm," and predicting strong overseas numbers. Some users also remarked on the contrast between online criticism and audience behaviour, suggesting viewers may critique the VFX while still turning up for first-day-first-show screenings.

Chariot Scene Praised, Hope for Improvements

Among the visuals, the chariot scene received particular praise from viewers. Several comments also expressed confidence that the makers still have time to refine the film, noting that improvements could be made in the months leading up to release.

Adipurush Comparisons Resurface

Comparisons were also drawn with Adipurush and Ramayan, with some viewers saying the new adaptation appeared more grounded, while others cautioned against repeating past mistakes.

Despite the criticism, several viewers appreciated Ranbir Kapoor's restrained portrayal of Ram. The background score by Hans Zimmer and A. R. Rahman also received positive feedback.

The film also stars Sai Pallavi as Sita, Ravi Dubey as Lakshman and Sunny Deol as Hanuman. Planned as a two-part release for Diwali 2026 and 2027, Ramayana continues to generate strong interest, with audiences closely watching how the film shapes up ahead of release.