Starring
An epic in the making
Ramayana: Part 1 is an upcoming Hindi-language mythological epic directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the filmmaker behind Dangal and Chhichhore. Conceived as the opening chapter of a two-film saga adapting Valmiki's ancient Sanskrit epic, it is scheduled for a worldwide release around Diwali 2026 (reports point to late October or November), with Part 2 to follow at Diwali 2027. Both parts have been shot for IMAX.
The production positions itself, in our editorial view, as the most ambitious mythological screen adaptation ever mounted in India. It is backed by Namit Malhotra's Prime Focus Studios in association with the multiple-Oscar-winning visual-effects house DNEG, and co-produced by Yash's banner Monster Mind Creations. As an unreleased film, much of what surrounds it is anticipation rather than verdict, but the sheer scale of intent has already made it one of the most-watched Indian projects of the decade.
The story
The film retells the Ramayana, the foundational Indian epic that follows Rama, prince of Ayodhya, through exile, devotion and war. The narrative traces his banishment to the forest alongside his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana, and the events set in motion when the demon king Ravana abducts Sita and carries her to Lanka.
Because the source is a centuries-old text known to millions, its broad arc is not a spoiler. Part 1 is widely expected to cover the early movement of the story, building toward Sita's abduction, while Part 2 charts Rama's campaign to reclaim her and confront Ravana. As the film has not yet released, any specific creative departures the makers may take remain to be seen.
Making of the film
Ramayana has been reported as the most expensive Indian film ever attempted, with a budget said to run to around 4,000 crore rupees (roughly 500 million US dollars) across both parts. That spend is going into large-scale visual effects, virtual production and IMAX-grade photography, with DNEG and ReDefine handling the effects work that aims to render Ayodhya, the forest of exile and the kingdom of Lanka at blockbuster scale.
The technical roster reaches well beyond Indian cinema's usual borders. Action and movement are choreographed by Hollywood specialists Terry Notary (the Planet of the Apes films, Avengers) and Guy Norris (Mad Max: Fury Road, Furiosa). A teaser titled Rama, offering the first glimpse of Ranbir Kapoor's Lord Rama, was unveiled on 3 July 2025; its response was mixed, with some viewers dazzled by the ambition and others critical of the early VFX, a debate the finished film will ultimately have to settle.
Cast and music
The ensemble is led by Ranbir Kapoor as Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash, the KGF star, as Ravana. Sunny Deol plays Hanuman and Ravi Dubey plays Lakshmana, with a wide supporting cast reported to include Arun Govil, Lara Dutta and Rakul Preet Singh, among others. Yash's dual role as antagonist and co-producer underlines how central the project is to his ambitions beyond the KGF franchise.
The score marks a genuine first: a collaboration between two of world cinema's most decorated composers, Hans Zimmer (Dune, Interstellar, The Lion King) and A.R. Rahman. It is the first time the pair have worked together, and the pairing is emblematic of the film's stated aim to be an Indian story told at a global technical standard.
Why it matters
Even before release, Ramayana has become a cultural event. It topped IMDb's list of most-anticipated Indian titles, drew intense scrutiny over its record budget, and turned each teaser into a national talking point. For an industry that has repeatedly tried and struggled to do justice to its mythology on screen, the film represents both an enormous bet and a test case for whether Indian storytelling can command a Hollywood-scale canvas.
Whether it delivers on that promise is a question only the finished films can answer. For now it stands as a statement of intent, from its cast and composers to its worldwide IMAX rollout, that India's oldest story is being staged with the biggest resources the country's cinema has ever assembled.
Key details
| Release year | 2026 |
|---|---|
| Language | Hindi |
| Director | Nitesh Tiwari |
| Genre | Mythological Epic |
| Starring | Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, Sai Pallavi |
Did you know?
- The score is the first-ever collaboration between Oscar-winning composers Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman.
- Reported to be the most expensive Indian film ever made, with a budget of around 4,000 crore rupees (about 500 million US dollars) across both parts.
- The first teaser, titled 'Rama', was unveiled on 3 July 2025 and gave audiences their first look at Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama.
- Yash, who plays Ravana, is also a co-producer of the film through his banner Monster Mind Creations.
- Action and movement are choreographed by Hollywood specialists Terry Notary (Planet of the Apes) and Guy Norris (Mad Max: Fury Road).
- Visual effects are handled by DNEG, the multiple-Academy-Award-winning studio behind Interstellar, Dune and Tenet, and both parts were shot for IMAX.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Ramayana: Part 1 releasing?
Part 1 is targeted for a worldwide release around Diwali 2026, with reports pointing to late October or November of that year. It is the first of two films, with Part 2 expected to arrive at Diwali 2027. As of now it remains upcoming and unreleased.
Who plays Rama, Ravana and Sita in the film?
Ranbir Kapoor stars as Rama, Yash plays Ravana and Sai Pallavi plays Sita. The supporting cast includes Sunny Deol as Hanuman and Ravi Dubey as Lakshmana, along with a large ensemble reported to feature Arun Govil, Lara Dutta and Rakul Preet Singh.
Who is composing the music for Ramayana?
The music is a first-time collaboration between Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman, two of the most celebrated composers in world cinema. Zimmer is known for Dune, Interstellar and The Lion King, while Rahman is an Oscar and Grammy winner. The pairing has been highlighted as one of the film's marquee attractions.
How expensive is the film?
Ramayana has been widely reported as the most expensive Indian film ever attempted, with a budget said to be around 4,000 crore rupees, or roughly 500 million US dollars, spread across both parts. Much of that is going into large-scale visual effects, virtual production and IMAX photography. These figures come from producer statements and press reports rather than final audited numbers.
Is Ramayana one film or two?
It is being made as a two-part epic. Part 1 is planned for Diwali 2026 and Part 2 for Diwali 2027, telling the story of the Ramayana across two theatrical installments. Both parts have been filmed for IMAX.
Who is directing Ramayana?
The film is directed by Nitesh Tiwari, best known for the acclaimed sports drama Dangal and the coming-of-age hit Chhichhore. It is produced by Namit Malhotra's Prime Focus Studios in association with the visual-effects house DNEG and Yash's Monster Mind Creations.