Will Ranbir Kapoor and Yash-starrer 'Ramayana' Deliver the Cinematic Justice It Deserves?

Mumbai, July 3 (NationPress) The much-anticipated first look of the upcoming epic film ‘Ramayana,’ featuring Ranbir Kapoor and Yash, was revealed on Thursday. This initial glimpse promises a cinematic experience of grand proportions. The film's run-time is significantly enhanced by CGI, skillfully crafted by Prime Focus and the Academy Award-winning DNEG, known for their Oscar-winning VFX work in ‘Dune’.

Starring a remarkable ensemble cast, Ranbir takes on the role of Lord Ram, while Yash portrays Raavan, also known as Lankesh, and actress Sai Pallavi plays Goddess Sita. The film also features Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman and Ravie Dubey as Laxman.

In a groundbreaking collaboration, music legends Hans Zimmer and A. R. Rahman, both Academy Award winners, are working together for the first time on this project.

The launch event spanned across the globe, with fan screenings held in nine Indian cities and a spectacular billboard takeover at Times Square in New York.

Set 5,000 years ago and cherished by 2.5 billion people worldwide, ‘Ramayana’ is directed by Nitesh Tiwari, a National Award-winning filmmaker, and produced by Namit Malhotra, with Yash as co-producer. This project brings together a formidable team of Oscar-winning technicians and some of the finest talents from Hollywood and India, reimagining one of the most powerful epics into a cutting-edge cinematic universe, deeply rooted in Indian culture but crafted for a global audience.

Namit Malhotra, founder of Prime Focus and CEO of DNEG, stated, “This is a cultural movement for every Indian around the world. With ‘Ramayana,’ we are not merely retelling history; we are introducing our legacy to the world. By bringing together the finest global talent, we can tell this story with authenticity, emotion, and state-of-the-art cinematic innovation. We’ve seen ‘Ramayana’ portrayed before, but this version reimagines its landscapes, creatures, and battles with the scale and splendor they deserve. As Indians, this is our truth, and now it will be our gift to the world.”

‘Ramayana’ is envisioned as a two-part live-action cinematic universe, being created on a scale previously unseen in the film industry. The film merges celebrated talents from both Hollywood and India, setting a new standard for collaborative creativity.

Nitesh Tiwari remarked, “‘Ramayana’ is a story we've all grown up with. It embodies the essence of our culture. Our goal was to honor that essence and present it with the cinematic scale it truly deserves. As a filmmaker, it’s both a tremendous responsibility and a heartfelt privilege to bring it to life. This tale has endured for millennia because it resonates with something profound and eternal within us. We are not just making a film; we are presenting a vision—one rooted in reverence, shaped by excellence, and intended to transcend borders.”

The film also boasts a team of top-tier stunt directors from Hollywood, including Terry Notary (known for ‘Avengers’ and ‘Planet of the Apes’) and Guy Norris (from ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ and ‘Furiosa’), choreographing the epic battles between gods and demons. The visual grandeur of ancient India is being reimagined by acclaimed production designers Ravi Bansal ('Dune 2', 'Aladdin') and Ramsey Avery ('Captain America', 'Tomorrowland').

‘Ramayana’ is set to be filmed in IMAX format, with Part 1 scheduled for worldwide release during Diwali 2026 and Part 2 following in Diwali 2027.