Oct 05, 2026 12:55pm IST
‘Ramayana’ Or ‘Love & War’? Ranbir Kapoor’s Mythological Epic Wins Variety India Poll
The Ranbir Kapoor battle is officially on, and audiences have made their choice. Variety India asked followers on Instagram and YouTube which of Kapoor’s two highly anticipated films they are most excited for, “Ramayana: Rise of a Legend” or “Love & War”. While “Ramayana” emerged as the clear winner overall, the results also revealed just how closely audiences are watching both films.
On Instagram, “Ramayana: Rise of a Legend” dominated the poll with 67% of the votes, leaving “Love & War” with 33%. That is a significant lead for the epic, suggesting that Kapoor’s transformation into Lord Rama has generated enormous curiosity among social media audiences.
The excitement around “Ramayana” has been building steadily. Kapoor stepping into the role of Lord Rama has placed the actor at the centre of one of the most ambitious projects in Indian cinema. Every poster, glimpse and behind-the-scenes look has added another layer of anticipation, with audiences eager to see how he brings one of Indian mythology’s most revered figures to life.
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But the YouTube result tells a slightly different story.
While “Ramayana” still came out on top, it did so by a much narrower margin. 52% of YouTube voters picked “Ramayana: Rise of a Legend”, while 48% chose “Love & War”. A four-point difference makes it clear that Bhansali’s romantic drama has a formidable fanbase of its own.
And it is easy to see why. “Love & War” brings together Kapoor with Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal in what promises to be an intense love triangle. Add Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s grand visual style to the mix and the film has all the ingredients of a major theatrical event. Kapoor also reunites with Bhatt on screen, adding another layer of interest to a film already carrying enormous expectations.
The contrasting results also underline what makes this particular Kapoor showdown so exciting. These are not two films offering audiences the same version of the actor. “Ramayana” sees him take on a monumental mythological role, while “Love & War” places him in an emotionally charged romantic drama.
For now, “Ramayana” has the bragging rights. Its 67% Instagram victory and 52% YouTube win show that the epic has a slight edge in the anticipation race.
But with “Love & War” coming within four percentage points on YouTube, the result is hardly a runaway victory. One thing is certain: audiences are eagerly waiting to see which Ranbir Kapoor film makes the bigger impact.
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