Anupam Kher on Ramayana global release: 'Indian culture on a big stage'
Synopsis
Anupam Kher flew to Stockholm for the world premiere of Ramayana: Part 1 — and his Instagram post says everything about the ambition behind it. As the film opens simultaneously in India and internationally on 5 November, Kher's pride in voicing Jatayu and his claim that early audience feedback has been overwhelming signal that Bollywood's biggest mythological bet in years is off to a charged start.
Key Takeaways
Ramayana: Part 1 , directed by Nitesh Tiwari , released in Indian theatres on 5 November 2026 , with international dates on 5 and 6 November .
Anupam Kher attended the film's premiere in Stockholm, Sweden , and shared a video message on Instagram.
Kher voiced Jatayu , the noble vulture king, and described the character as 'one of the main highlights of the film.' The actor said he was receiving encouraging messages from across India , with viewers praising the film's scale, subject and performances.
The film is produced by Namit Malhotra , whom Kher described as a 'world-renowned filmmaker.'
Veteran actor Anupam Kher marked the worldwide theatrical release of Ramayana: Part 1 on 5 November 2026 with a heartfelt video message, expressing pride in seeing Indian mythology and cinema presented to audiences across the globe. The actor shared the message from Stockholm, Sweden, where he attended the film's international premiere.
Kher's Message from Stockholm
Posting on Instagram from the Swedish capital, Kher congratulated the film's entire cast and crew. He captioned the post: 'Jai Shri Ram! Today, Ramayana is releasing across the world. Heartiest congratulations and best wishes to all the actors, producers, technicians and the entire team associated with this grand film. May the hard work put in by all of you, and by me as well, receive the love and blessings of audiences across the world. Jai Shri Ram! #Ramayana @iamnamitmalhotra @ramayanamovie.'
In his video, the actor noted that the film's director, Namit Malhotra, is a 'world-renowned filmmaker,' and called it his 'good fortune' to represent the project at the Stockholm premiere.
Audience Response and Kher's Role as Jatayu
Kher said he had been receiving encouraging messages from people across India, including from individuals who had not been in touch with him for years. He described viewers as appreciating the film's scale, subject matter, and the ensemble cast's performances. 'It makes me very happy to see that Indian cinema and our culture is being presented on such a big stage all over the world,' he said, adding that he was 'especially proud' that his character Jatayu — the noble vulture king and divine demigod — was being cited as one of the film's main highlights.
Kher voiced the character of Jatayu in Nitesh Tiwari's mythological epic, a role he described with evident personal investment. He also expressed happiness at the way the portrayals of Lord Rama and Ravana were resonating with audiences emotionally.
Release Schedule and Scale
The much-anticipated film opened in Indian theatres on 5 November, with its international rollout spanning 5 and 6 November across multiple countries. The Stockholm premiere, attended by Kher, underlined the production's ambition to reach diaspora and mainstream audiences worldwide — a rare feat for a Hindi-language mythological epic of this scale.
What This Moment Means for Indian Cinema
The global simultaneous release of a mythological Indian epic marks a notable shift in how Bollywood positions itself internationally. Notably, films rooted in Hindu mythology have historically found it difficult to build mainstream audiences outside the Indian diaspora. A wide international theatrical launch for Ramayana: Part 1 signals a growing confidence — and commercial appetite — for Indian cultural narratives on the world stage. Concluding his message, Kher said: 'Today, our film is being released all over the world. I wish you all a very happy Ramayana. Jai Shri Ram Siyavar Ramchandra Ki Jai!'
Point of View
And the industry will be watching the opening-weekend numbers closely. Kher's enthusiasm is genuine, but the real test is whether Ramayana: Part 1 crosses over beyond the diaspora circuit into mainstream international markets — something no Bollywood film rooted in Hindu mythology has consistently managed. Nitesh Tiwari's track record with Dangal suggests he can marry scale with emotional accessibility, but the subject matter raises the bar for universal appeal. If the film performs, it rewrites the playbook for Indian cultural exports; if it plateaus at diaspora numbers, the 'global stage' framing will invite scrutiny.
NationPress
5 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ramayana: Part 1 and when did it release?
Ramayana: Part 1 is a mythological epic directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra. It released in Indian theatres on 5 November 2026, with its international rollout taking place on 5 and 6 November.
What role does Anupam Kher play in Ramayana: Part 1?
Anupam Kher voiced the character of Jatayu, the noble vulture king and divine demigod, in the film. He has described Jatayu as 'one of the main highlights' of the film based on early audience feedback.
Where did Anupam Kher attend the film's premiere?
Kher attended the international premiere of Ramayana in Stockholm, Sweden, on 5 November 2026. He shared a video message from Stockholm on Instagram, congratulating the film's cast and crew.
Who directed and produced Ramayana: Part 1?
The film was directed by Nitesh Tiwari, known for Dangal, and produced by Namit Malhotra, whom Kher referred to as a 'world-renowned filmmaker' in his public message.
Why is the global release of Ramayana significant for Indian cinema?
A wide simultaneous international theatrical release for a Hindi mythological epic is rare, signalling growing commercial ambition for Indian cultural narratives beyond the diaspora. Industry observers are watching whether the film can break into mainstream international markets, which would mark a milestone for Bollywood's global reach.
