Nees Desk: The makers of the upcoming film Ramayana released a new song, ‘Ravana Tandav’, on the occasion of Dussehra, offering audiences a glimpse of Yash’s powerful portrayal of Ravana. While the actor’s intense screen presence and the choreography have drawn praise, the music composed by AR Rahman has received mixed reactions on social media.
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the ambitious mythological epic is among the most anticipated Indian films. The newly released song focuses on Ravana’s devotion to Lord Shiva and features a dramatic sequence inspired by the Shiv Tandav Stotram.
The one-minute-and-55-second video opens with Ravana cutting his palm with a dagger and applying a Tripundra tilak to his forehead as part of a ritual. He is then seen performing aarti before a grand idol of Lord Shiva before breaking into the Tandav. Several montage shots highlight Yash’s imposing appearance and intense portrayal of the legendary king of Lanka.
Yash wins praise, music divides viewers
The Hindi version of ‘Ravana Tandav’ features lyrics by Dr Kumar Vishwas, music composed by AR Rahman and vocals by Vishal Dadlani. The track aims to capture the spiritual intensity and grandeur associated with Ravana’s devotion to Lord Shiva.
However, reactions online have been divided. While many viewers appreciated Yash’s performance and the visual presentation, several social media users expressed disappointment with the musical composition, saying they had expected a more energetic and powerful track.
Some viewers criticised Rahman’s contribution and questioned whether his musical style suited the scale and atmosphere of the film. A few even suggested that the makers consider a different composer for the sequel, with Ajay-Atul among the names mentioned in online discussions.
These reactions reflect the opinions of sections of social media users rather than a universal response. Other aspects of the song, particularly Yash’s screen presence and the choreography, have received positive attention.
AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer join forces
One of the major talking points surrounding Ramayana is its musical collaboration between AR Rahman and renowned German composer Hans Zimmer. Known for his work on films such as The Lion King, Gladiator and Dune, Zimmer is making his debut in Indian cinema with the project.
The collaboration has raised expectations for a distinctive musical sound that combines Indian traditions with international orchestral influences.
A grand retelling of the Ramayana
Produced by Namit Malhotra, with Yash also associated with the project, Ramayana is reportedly being developed in two parts with a combined budget of around ₹4,000 crore.
The film features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman and Ravi Dubey as Lakshman. Arun Govil, Lara Dutta, Rakul Preet Singh and Vivek Oberoi are also part of the cast.
The first instalment is scheduled for release in theatres on November 5, 2026.
With its large-scale production, prominent cast and ambitious retelling of the ancient epic, Ramayana continues to attract considerable attention. The mixed response to ‘Ravana Tandav’ has added another dimension to the conversation, with audiences now debating whether the film’s music will ultimately live up to expectations.
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