Ranbir Kapoor and Yash's upcoming cinematic rendition of the Ramayana is poised to be the most expensive film franchise in Indian cinema, with a staggering budget of ₹1,600 crore. This ambitious project, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, is planned as a two-part epic, with the first installment scheduled for release on Diwali 2026 and the second on Diwali 2027.
The sheer scale of the budget underscores the filmmakers' intent to create a visually spectacular and emotionally resonant retelling of the classic Indian epic. According to reports, ₹900 crore has been allocated for the first part, while ₹700 crore is reserved for the sequel. The reduction in budget for the second part is because of the significant investment in asset and world creation in the first installment; the characters and set pieces will be carried forward, leaving primarily the action sequences to be produced for the sequel.
"Ramayana" boasts a stellar cast, with Ranbir Kapoor portraying Lord Rama and Sai Pallavi as Sita. Yash will be seen as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Hanuman, and Ravi Dubey as Lakshman. The film also features an ensemble cast including Lara Dutta, Arun Govil, Indira Krishnan and Sheeba Chaddha.
The production is a collaborative effort between Namit Malhotra's DNEG, Prime Focus Studios, and Yash's Monster Mind Creations. The filmmakers are not treating the budget as separate for each part but as a unified investment to create a lasting global impression. The team is also in negotiations with a top Hollywood studio to secure global distribution rights.
Adding to the grandeur, legendary composers Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman are joining forces to create the music and background score. This marks the first time the two Oscar-winning composers will work together. The film will feature cutting-edge VFX, with visual effects being handled by Prime Focus and DNEG. Stunt coordination will be overseen by Terry Notary and Guy Norris.
The first glimpse of "Ramayana" was revealed on July 3, 2025, showcasing the grand cinematic vision and stunning CGI work. A nearly 3-minute teaser is also reportedly ready. The film is being shot in IMAX format.
