Ranbir Kapoor lifts Shiv Dhanush at Ramayana promo event in Mumbai
Synopsis
Ranbir Kapoor's Shiv Dhanush lift at the Ramayana promo event in Mumbai — with MrBeast in the room — signals just how large Nitesh Tiwari is swinging. Part One drops on 9 November 2026, with a cast so stacked it reads like a Bollywood census, and Yash making his Hindi debut as Ravana. The 4-hour delay and media walkout, though, were the first signs that even the biggest productions can stumble before the curtain rises.
Key Takeaways
Ranbir Kapoor lifted the Shiv Dhanush at the Ramayana promotional launch in Mumbai on 26 September 2026 .
YouTuber MrBeast attended the event, signalling the film's global outreach ambitions.
The event was delayed by approximately 4 hours , leading a section of the media to boycott it.
Ramayana Part One is set for release on 9 November 2026 (Diwali); Part Two is scheduled for 2027 .
The cast includes Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash (Bollywood debut) as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Hanuman, and Arun Govil as King Dashrath.
Ranbir also stars in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Love & War' alongside Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal , releasing 21 January 2027 .
Ranbir Kapoor lifted the Shiv Dhanush at a promotional event in Mumbai on 26 September 2026, marking the official kickoff of the campaign for director Nitesh Tiwari's much-anticipated mythological epic 'Ramayana', slated for a Diwali release. Notable among the attendees was popular YouTuber MrBeast, whose presence underscored the film's ambition to reach a global audience.
The Shiv Dhanush Moment
In what became the centrepiece visual of the evening, Kapoor — who plays Lord Rama in the film — folded his hands in prayer before lifting the Shiv Dhanush and gently placing it back. The gesture, laden with symbolic resonance given his role, drew considerable attention from those present. Other key team members at the event included actress Sai Pallavi, who plays Goddess Sita, actor Ravi Dubey, and producer Namit Malhotra.
A Rocky Start: Event Delayed by 4 Hours
The launch did not go entirely to plan. The event ran approximately 4 hours behind schedule, prompting a section of the media to walk out and boycott the proceedings — a development that cast a minor shadow over what was otherwise a high-profile promotional debut. The delay drew attention online and among trade observers, highlighting the logistical pressures of managing a production of this scale.
Star-Studded Cast and Release Details
'Ramayana' boasts one of the largest ensemble casts in recent Bollywood memory. Yash, known for his role in 'KGF', makes his Bollywood debut as Ravana. Sunny Deol plays Lord Hanuman, while the supporting roster includes Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi, Rakul Preet Singh as Surpanakha, Kajal Aggarwal as Mandodari, Arun Govil as King Dashrath, Kunal Kapoor as Lord Indra, and Adinath Kothare as Bharat.
The film is structured as a two-part franchise. Part One is set for theatrical release on 9 November 2026, during Diwali. Part Two, still in production, is scheduled for 2027. The film will be made available in multiple Indian languages, including Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada.
Ranbir's Packed Slate: Love & War Next
Beyond 'Ramayana', Kapoor is also set to share screen space with wife Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal in 'Love & War', directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. On 24 September 2026, the makers released Ranbir's first look poster from the film — a rugged, battle-scarred image featuring a blood-stained sleeve and a bullet mark on his shirt. The caption on the post read: 'Woh rutba, woh raub, woh junoon! Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Love & War on 21st January 2027. See you at the movies!' 'Love & War' is slated for release on 21 January 2027.
With two major releases lined up in quick succession, Kapoor is positioned for one of the most consequential stretches of his career — and 'Ramayana' will be the first test of whether epic-scale mythology can match box-office expectations at scale.
Point of View
Giving the internet a shareable image before a single trailer frame has dropped. But the 4-hour delay and media walkout are a warning: at this scale of production, the PR machine needs to match the ambition. The MrBeast presence is the more strategically interesting detail — it signals that the makers are not merely chasing India's multiplex crowd but actively courting a global, YouTube-native audience. Whether a mythological epic can cross that cultural bridge at the box office is the real question 'Ramayana' will have to answer.
NationPress
26 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Ramayana releasing in theatres?
Ramayana Part One is scheduled for release on 9 November 2026, during Diwali. Part Two, which is still in production, is expected in 2027.
Who is playing Ravana in the Ramayana film?
'KGF' actor Yash plays Ravana in Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana, marking his Bollywood debut. The film also stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama and Sai Pallavi as Goddess Sita.
What happened at the Ramayana promotional event in Mumbai?
Ranbir Kapoor lifted the Shiv Dhanush after offering prayers at the Mumbai launch event on 26 September 2026. The event was attended by YouTuber MrBeast but was delayed by approximately 4 hours, leading some media to boycott it.
What languages will Ramayana be released in?
Ramayana will be released in multiple Indian languages including Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada.
What is Ranbir Kapoor's next film after Ramayana?
Ranbir Kapoor will next be seen in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Love & War' alongside Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal, which releases on 21 January 2027. His first look poster from the film was unveiled on 24 September 2026.
