Entertainment Desk

In the heart of Indian cinematic evolution comes Ramayana, a project that redefines scale, vision, and storytelling. This epic fantasy is slated to arrive in two majestic chapters during Diwali 2026 and 2027. Featuring an ensemble cast led by Ranbir Kapoor, the film has sparked widespread buzz, resonating beyond Indian borders. Uniting acclaimed artists behind its making, the production sets a staggering new benchmark in Indian film budgets. Let’s take a concise yet insightful look at this recently buzzworthy and highly ambitious venture.

Ramayana’s Star-studded Cast

Ranbir Kapoor portrays Lord Rama, and Sai Pallavi assumes the role of Mata Sita. Yash embodies Ravan while Sunny Deol steps into the revered character of Hanuman. The ensemble cast also includes Lara Dutta, Kajal Aggarwal, Vivek Oberoi, Ravi Dubey, and Arun Govil.

World-class Team Crew

Directed by the renowned Nitesh Tiwari, this epic project is supported by Namit Malhotra, an eight-time Oscar-winning producer and the CEO of DNEG and Prime Focus Studios. Joining these two production houses is Yash’s Monster Mind Creations. DNEG is the global VFX powerhouse responsible for visual effects in acclaimed films like ‘Dune’, ‘Oppenheimer’, and ‘Interstellar’. Moreover, ‘Ramayana’ is being filmed specifically for IMAX.

The soundtrack embodies a unique East-meets-West collaboration, featuring two Academy Award-winning composers. India’s legendary AR Rahman joins forces with Hans Zimmer, a legendary German composer. His iconic scores include ‘The Lion King’ (1994), ‘The Dark Knight’ (2008), ‘Inception’ (2010), and the recent work on the two-part ‘Dune’ series.

Adding to the film’s intensity, action sequences are crafted by Guy Norris, famed for his choreography in ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’.

Record-breaking Budget

The Ramayana franchise commands an unprecedented production budget of Rs 1600 crore. The initial instalment alone accounts for Rs 900 crore, with Rs 700 crore allocated for the sequel. The reduced budget for the second part stems from the extensive expenditure on world-building and asset creation in the first film. It leaves primarily action sequences to be filmed in the follow-up.

However, this colossal investment establishes the series as the most expensive in Indian cinema history.

Campaign across Two Continents

‘Ramayana: The Introduction’ premiered simultaneously in nine major Indian cities on July 3. The cities are Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Kochi, and Pune. This groundbreaking launch marked an unprecedented moment in Indian movie history.

Just one day later, the mythological movie crossed continents, making a bold statement in New York’s Times Square. Its striking visuals illuminated one of the world’s most iconic digital billboards, capturing global attention.

Verdict

Buzz is surging around ‘Ramayana’, powered by the star trio – Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, and Yash. Namit Malhotra’s globally acclaimed production takes India’s most revered myth to new heights with cutting-edge technology. The collaboration of AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer on the soundtrack further elevates its stature. The eye-popping Rs 1600 crore budget marks a new pinnacle of Indian filmmaking. In essence, the fusion of exceptional talents firmly positions the project as India’s definitive answer to the Hollywood blockbuster.