Hrithik Roshan defended Ramayana makers amid massive wave of VFX criticism, explaining different visual styles. Addressing War 2 backlash, he admitted flaws can occur. Hrithik urged audiences to judge VFX based on storytelling intent, not just realism.
The debate around VFX quality in big-budget Indian films has been the top talking point on social media following the teaser release of Ranbir Kapoor and Yash’s Ramayana. While some viewers praised the scale and ambition, most others criticised the visuals, calling out what they perceived as bad VFX in the short clip. Amid the growing chatter, Hrithik Roshan stepped in with a nuanced perspective, addressing both the criticism and the broader conversation around visual effects in cinema. He has appealed to viewers to debate the issue with more awareness.
‘Bad VFX exists – Hrithik Roshan agrees!
Taking to Instagram, Hrithik candidly admitted that “bad VFX exists” and acknowledged how disappointing it can be, especially when one is closely associated with a project. However, he quickly shifted the focus toward appreciating the intent and effort behind large-scale films. Recalling an incident in his childhood, Hrithik shared how watching Back to the Future sparked his fascination with visual effects, shaping his love for cinema at mere 11-years-old.
The actor went on to praise filmmakers who dare to dream big, naming projects like Kalki 2898 AD, Baahubali, and Ramayana as examples of ambitious storytelling. He also credited his father, Rakesh Roshan, for pioneering VFX-driven films like Koi… Mil Gaya and Krrish.
The actor wrote, “Today some special humans among us, like the makers of films like Kalki, Bahubali , Ramayana, ( also my dad for koi mil gaya n krrish ofcourse) are my heroes, they have the guts and vision to do what’s never been done – all for the love of cinema so that we – the audience get to experience something never watched before.” According to Hrithik, such creators are the reason many 11-year-olds will be inspired, like he was.
One of the key points Hrithik talked about was the difference in VFX styles. He explained that not all films aim for photorealism. Some adopt a stylised, storybook-like visual approach, which may include vivid colours, non-realistic lighting, and painterly aesthetics. Drawing comparisons, he referenced films like 300 and The Lord of the Rings. He further elaborated that VFX can range from photorealistic and hyperreal to fantastical or even experimental. According to him, criticism should consider whether the chosen style aligns with the story’s intent rather than judging it against a different standard. Hrithik made it clear that calling something “bad VFX” simply because it does not look realistic can be unfair if realism was never the goal.
However, the actor is not against criticism. Hrithik encouraged audiences to rethink how they evaluate VFX-heavy films. Instead of simply asking whether something looks real, he urged viewers to consider whether it feels right for the story and achieves the intended emotional impact. He wrote, “The least we can do is bash them with some better awareness!”
Hrithik Roshan breaks silence on War 2 VFX criticism
Addressing the criticism around War 2, Hrithik’s spy universe film that released last year, the actor replied to a comment and acknowledged that certain issues, such as “physics/ gravity issue n less time” hampered the film. He admitted that such lapses can affect the viewing experience and that it happens. However, he also pointed out that War set a high benchmark in terms of action and visual execution.
