The upcoming cinematic adaptation of the Ramayana, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, is generating considerable buzz, not just for its stellar cast but also for its unprecedented budget. Starring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Yash as Ravan, the film is reportedly being made with a staggering budget of ₹1600 crore, making it the most expensive Indian film franchise to date.
The massive budget is divided between the two parts of the film, with ₹900 crore allocated for Part 1 and ₹700 crore for Part 2. According to sources, the reduction in budget for the second part is due to the significant investment in asset and world creation for the first installment. The characters, set pieces, and overall design established in Part 1 will continue to be utilized in the sequel, thus reducing the production cost.
The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast, with Sunny Deol playing Hanuman and Ravie Dubey as Lakshman. Additionally, the film features veteran actors such as Arun Govil, who played Lord Rama in the Doordarshan show Ramayan, as Dashrath, along with Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi and Kajal Aggarwal as Mandodari. The makers are aiming to present the epic with reverence, promising a grand cinematic experience.
The first official glimpse of Ramayana was revealed on July 3, 2025, with a launch celebrated across nine Indian cities and a presence at New York's Times Square. The teaser offers a sneak peek into the visually rich world created by director Nitesh Tiwari, leaving fans in awe of the film's scale and grandeur. The music is being composed by legendary composers Hans Zimmer and AR Rahman, adding further weight to the project. Acclaimed stunt coordinators Terry Notary and Guy Norris will lead the action choreography, promising intense, large-scale battle sequences with visual and emotional weight.
Ramayana is a collaborative production between Namit Malhotra's DNEG, Prime Focus Studios, and Yash's Monster Mind Creations. The film is being shot for IMAX and the makers are negotiating with a top Hollywood studio to secure global distribution rights for key international markets. The first part of the film is slated for a Diwali 2026 release, followed by the second part in Diwali 2027.
The film is touted to be a global project with spectacular visuals, with the makers aiming to tap into the world audience. The producer, Namit Malhotra, is treating Ramayana as a project of pride and is confident of recovering the investment and even making profits. The team is also exploring the use of technology to localize the film in various languages, including English, Spanish, and Japanese, with performance lip sync.
With its massive budget, stellar cast, and a team of acclaimed technicians, Ramayana promises to be a visual spectacle and a significant cinematic event for Indian cinema.
