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At the unearthly-for-Hindi-cinema-events hour at 9 a.m. on April 2, the first glimpse of Ramayana, produced by Namit Malhotra and directed by Nitesh Tiwari, was unveiled at the PVR IMAX. The event was scheduled aptly on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti.
This is a two-part cinematic franchise, produced by Prime Focus Studios, in association with eight-time Academy Award-winning production and visual effects studio, DNEG, and South actor Yash’s Monster Mind Creations.
Namit Malhotra, producer, filmmaker and creative architect behind one of the world’s most ambitious cinematic productions and enduring epics, introduced Lord Rama, one of the most enduring figures in storytelling. Through a dedicated teaser, audiences have now been offered their first look at Ranbir Kapoor as Rama.
Unveiled globally with equal fanfare, the teaser marks a significant moment for audiences worldwide, bringing into focus a figure whose story has endured for over 5,000 years. For those who have grown up with this story, it offers a refreshed perspective. For others, it offers an opportunity to engage with it for the first time at this scale.
Rama represents the kind of hero the world rarely sees anymore—one who chooses duty over desire, walks away from power when it is right to do so, and does what is necessary, even when it costs him everything. Revered as ‘Maryada Purushottam’ (‘The highest ideal of human conduct’), Rama embodies dignity, compassion and moral clarity, even in the face of exile, loss and injustice. That is what makes him timeless.
Nitesh Tiwari said, “Ramayana’s greatness lies in its emotional richness. At its heart, it is not just about good and evil, but about choices, consequences and the weight of doing what is right. Rama’s journey is deeply human and that is what we have tried to stay true to.”
Getting more than a shade emotional, he said, “It has taken me seven years to reach this moment. Filmmaking is a very speculative and lonely process. Every moment in these seven years, I have imagined this moment and wondered what the reaction of the audience would be. But now, I feel that those seven years were worth it.”
Malhotra added, “The power of Rama’s story is not in what he conquers, but in what he lets go of. He represents a standard that is not easy, not convenient; but necessary. He chooses duty over desire, truth over comfort and sacrifice over self. That is why his story has endured for thousands of years, and why it continues to matter today.”
On Instagram, Malhotra has stated, On Instagram, producer Namit Malhotra has stated, “Rama is the greatest of all time because he lived a life where the choices he made were always in the benefit of the greater good. His legacy continues to enhance and empower humanity over time and bring the belief in the goodness of the human spirit to resolve all conflict and bring peace to the world.”
Since the beginning of time, the Trinity Gods rule the three worlds: Brahma— the God who creates, Vishnu—He who protects, and Shiva—the God who transforms. As the realms of heaven and earth edge toward chaos, Lord Vishnu descends to earth in an avatar to restore balance. This time, Vishnu is reborn as Rama, a human prince destined to fulfil that purpose.
Opposing him is the most formidable, learned, undefeatable and immortal demon king Ravana (played by Yash), blessed by the Trinity themselves, driven by pride and a vengeance powerful enough to shatter the cosmos.
Unaware of his true purpose as the only one destined to stand up to Ravana in a fateful cosmic design, Rama is the embodiment of Dharma (duty above all), and the most loved crown prince of Ayodhya, the greatest human dynasty of the time. Rama tries to build a life of quiet honor with his beloved wife Sita (portrayed by Sai Pallavi) and loyal brother Lakshman (Ravie Dubey) among others, until a twist of fate drives him into exile and toward an inevitable clash with Ravana in a reckoning so cataclysmic that it will decide the destiny of both Gods and mortals.
Ramayana is among the most significant large-scale productions in the history of Indian cinema, bringing together some of the biggest names in global entertainment to portray characters that have shaped storytelling across generations.
At its core is a landmark casting—Ranbir Kapoor and Yash two of Indian cinema’s most influential and widely-followed stars, coming together in opposing roles, each commanding a massive global fanbase and unparalleled star power. Their pairing marks a rare cinematic moment, bringing together two forces of scale, stature, and cultural impact in a single narrative.
Adapted by award-winning screenwriter Shridhar Raghavan, Ramayana features music by Oscar-winning composers Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman. Production design reimagines ancient India at an unprecedented scale, led by Ravi Bansal and Ramsey Avery, while action is helmed by Hollywood’s leading stunt directors Terry Notary and Guy Norris.
The Ramayana is not just a story but a living cultural force. Its most defining moment, Rama’s return to Ayodhya after victory, is celebrated as Diwali, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness, and good over evil. Celebrated by billions across the world, Diwali is the continued remembrance of this story and what it stands for.
At its heart, Ramayana is a profoundly human story, where Rama stands for Dharma, compassion, and selflessness, while Ravana’s tragic downfall was driven by immeasurable ego, control, and desire. This contrast between sacrifice and ambition, humility and pride, is what makes Ramayana one of the most enduring and celebrated epics in human history.
Ramayana: Part 1, the first of a two-part live-action epic filmed for IMAX, based on the ancient writings of the revered Indian poet, Valmiki, opens in theatres globally this fall during Diwali 2026. Part 2 is currently in production and slated to debut globally during Diwali 2027.
Ranbir Kapoor, who was initially reluctant to do the role, and was conspicuous by his absence at the launch, had earlier stated, “I don’t think I’m here to represent Rama. I’m here to learn from him. There is a simplicity and purity to him that is very rare; and trying to understand and imbibe that has been a deeply humbling experience.”
Interesting Trivia on Ramayana:
• The Ramayana has been retold in over 300 versions across cultures and regions worldwide.
• Ayodhya, Rama’s birthplace has emerged as one of the most visited spiritual destinations in the world, with over 135 million visitors recorded in 2024 alone.
• The Ram Mandir there, inaugurated in 2024, marks a moment of profound cultural significance tied to a centuries-long legacy associated with the birthplace of Rama.
• The global resonance of the story was evident in 2024, when the consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya was marked by widespread celebrations across India and by communities around the world, by, as per media reports, over 1,000 temples in USA alone.
• Before any superhero that ever existed, there was Rama.
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