Namit Malhotra has made it clear that Ramayana is being positioned as a global cinematic event. But the decision to release the film internationally on November 6, two days before its Indian release on November 8, has already triggered a barrage of criticism from audiences. What was intended as a statement of the film's global ambition is instead becoming a talking point for all the wrong reasons.

There is nothing wrong with wanting Ramayana to reach audiences across the world. In fact, taking one of India's greatest epics to a truly global audience is an ambitious and potentially landmark move. However, the way that ambition is being executed is frustrating a section of the very audience that has the strongest emotional connection with the subject.

For Indians, Lord Ram and the Ramayana are not simply the characters and story of an expensive international film. There is a deep cultural and emotional connection attached to them. That is why the decision to let international audiences watch the film before India has been received with considerable irritation. The social-media response shows that people are already questioning the thinking behind the strategy.

The bigger concern is what this kind of reaction could mean for Ramayanam itself. A film carrying this level of expectation cannot afford to create unnecessary negativity before its release. The project is already being presented as something enormous, with an ambition to take Indian mythology to the world. That automatically puts the film under a microscope.

If the film delivers spectacularly, much of this noise will disappear within hours. But the danger is on the other side. If Ramayana ends up being even slightly underwhelming, the existing frustration could amplify the backlash considerably. Audiences who are already irritated by the release strategy may be far less forgiving, and every creative decision could come under greater scrutiny.

This is why the strategy deserves a closer look. The makers may be thinking beyond India, but Indian audiences remain the emotional centre of Ramayana. Creating avoidable friction with them before they have even seen the film is a risky proposition.

Ultimately, Ramayana will be judged by the film itself. But when expectations are this massive, there is little value in giving audiences another reason to turn hostile before the first show even begins. Global ambition is welcome, but understanding the audience's sentiment is equally important when you are attempting to bring one of India's most revered stories to the big screen.

Disclaimer: This article is based on discussions and information shared across available sources, social media and publicly available news items. Interpretations remain those of the users involved. Readers are encouraged to exercise discretion before drawing conclusions.