Ramayana Part 1 release date locked: Ranbir Kapoor epic hits cinemas November 5
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Ramayana: Part 1, the most anticipated Indian mythological epic in recent memory, is set to release worldwide on 5 November 2026, ahead of Diwali, with advance bookings opening on Dussehra. The makers unveiled an ensemble poster on Sunday — during the auspicious occasion of Navratri — confirming the date and announcing a global theatrical rollout across all premium formats, including IMAX.
The Ensemble Cast Revealed
The newly released poster brings together the film's principal cast for the first time: Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Ravie Dubey as Lakshman, and Yash — known to fans as Rocking Star Yash — as Ravana. The caption accompanying the reveal read: 'On the auspicious occasion of Navratri, we celebrate the beginning of a new era. Yeh Ram ke Yug ka Aarambh hai. Namit Malhotra's Ramayana Part 1: In cinemas WORLDWIDE, across all premium formats, from 5th November. Advance bookings open on Dussehra.'
Scale, Production and Creative Team
The film is directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra's Prime Focus Studios in collaboration with DNEG — the 8-time Oscar-winning visual effects house — and Yash's Monster Mind Creations. The music is composed by the celebrated duo of A.R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer, marking a rare East-West collaboration for an Indian mythological production. The film promises large-scale visual effects designed to deliver an immersive cinematic experience across Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam.
Distribution and Global Reach
Sony Pictures will handle the film's international distribution, while Dharma Productions will serve as the distributor for the Hindi-speaking market. The decision to release in IMAX and all other premium formats signals the production's ambition to rival global tentpole blockbusters in both scale and reach.
What Comes Next: Part 2 and the Bigger Picture
Ramayana: Part 2 is confirmed for a Diwali 2027 release, completing the two-part saga. This release strategy — splitting the epic into two festive-season instalments — mirrors the global trend of franchise storytelling and places Ramayana in direct conversation with international franchise films in terms of scope and planning. Notably, the announcement during Navratri and the Dussehra booking date are no coincidence — the calendar alignment with the festival that celebrates Lord Rama's victory over Ravana adds a layer of cultural resonance to the marketing rollout.