BEFORE THERE WERE HEROES, THERE WAS RAMA. Yes! We have your first look at the highly anticipated epic Namit Malhotra’s Ramayana, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, a two part movie franchise. Ramayana: PART 1 opens in theatres globally this fall during Diwali 2026. PART 2 is currently in production and slated to debut globally during Diwali 2027. The first glimpse of Rama, with Ranbir Kapoor stepping into the role was unveiled today and it is epic!
Produced by trailblazing filmmaker Namit Malhotra, helmed by one of India’s most successful and award-winning director Nitesh Tiwari, and adapted by award-winning screenwriter Shridhar Raghavan, Ramayana features music by Oscar®-winning composers Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman.
Ramayana is among the most significant large-scale productions in the history of Indian cinema, bringing together some of the biggest names in global entertainment to portray characters that have shaped storytelling across generations.
At its core is a landmark casting – Ranbir Kapoor and Yash (also producer on Ramayana) – two of Indian cinema’s most influential and widely followed stars – coming together in opposing roles. The battle will be one to be seen! The movie also stars India’s A-list acting talent including, Sai Pallavi (Sita), Sunny Deol (Monkey God Hanuman) and Ravie Dubey (Lakshamana).
The Ramayana is not just a story but a living cultural force. Its most defining moment, Rama’s return to Ayodhya after victory, is celebrated as Diwali, symbolising the triumph of light over darkness, and good over evil. Celebrated by billions across the world, Diwali is the continued remembrance of this story and what it stands for.
At its heart, the Ramayana is a profoundly human story, where Rama stands for Dharma, compassion, and selflessness while Ravana’s tragic downfall was driven by immeasurable ego, control, and desire. This contrast between sacrifice and ambition, humility and pride, is what makes Ramayana one of the most enduring and celebrated epics in human history.
Unveiled globally with equal fanfare, the ‘Rama’ teaser marks a significant moment for audiences worldwide, bringing into focus a figure whose story has endured for over 5,000 years. For those who have grown up with this story, it offers a refreshed perspective. For others, it offers an opportunity to engage with it for the first time at this scale.
Behold the majesty, the battle, the emotion, the hero to come!
A HERO DEFINED BY THE CHOICES HE MADE
Rama represents the kind of hero the world rarely sees anymore – one who chooses duty over desire, walks away from power when it is right to do so, and does what is necessary, even when it costs him everything. Revered as Maryada Purushottama, ‘the highest ideal of human conduct’, Rama embodies dignity, compassion, and moral clarity, even in the face of exile, loss, and injustice. That is what makes him timeless.
Nitesh Tiwari, Director of Ramayana – the 2 part film franchise: “ Ramayana’s greatness lies in its emotional richness. At its heart, it is not just about good and evil, but about choices, consequences, and the weight of doing what is right. Rama’s journey is deeply human and that is what we have tried to stay true to.”
Ranbir Kapoor on playing Rama: “I don’t think I’m here to represent Rama. I’m here to learn from him. There is a simplicity and purity to him that is very rare; and trying to understand and imbibe that has been a deeply humbling experience.”
Namit Malhotra, Producer, Film-maker and Creative Architect of Ramayana: “The power of Rama’s story is not in what he conquers, but in what he lets go of. He represents a standard that is not easy, not convenient; but necessary. He chooses duty over desire, truth over comfort, and sacrifice over self. That is why his story has endured for thousands of years, and why it continues to matter today.”
ABOUT NAMIT MALHOTRA’s Ramayana
Since the beginning of time, the Trinity Gods rule the three worlds: Brahma – the god who creates, Vishnu – the god who protects, and Shiva – the god who transforms. As the realms of heaven and earth edge toward chaos, the Trinity god Vishnu descends to earth in an avatar to restore balance. This time, Vishnu is reborn as RAMA (Ranbir Kapoor), a human prince destined to fulfil that purpose. Opposing him, stands the most formidable, learned, undefeatable and immortal demon king RAVANA (Yash), blessed by the Trinity themselves, driven by pride and a vengeance powerful enough to shatter the cosmos.
Unaware of his true purpose as the only one destined to stand up to Ravana in a fateful cosmic design, Rama is the embodiment of Dharma (duty above all), and the most loved crown prince of Ayodhya, the greatest human dynasty of the time. Rama tries to build a life of quiet honor with his beloved wife Sita (Sai Pallavi) and loyal brother Lakshman (Ravie Dubey) amongst others, until a twist of fate drives him into exile and toward an inevitable clash with Ravana in a reckoning so cataclysmic, it will decide the destiny of gods and mortals.
Prime Focus Studios, in association with eight-time Academy Award®-winning production and visual effects studio DNEG and Monster Mind Creations, presents Ramayana: PART 1, the first of a two-part live-action epic filmed for IMAX, based on the ancient writings of the revered Indian poet, Valmiki. Ramayana: PART 1 opens in theatres globally this fall during Diwali 2026. PART 2 is currently in production and slated to debut globally during Diwali 2027.
Way hnthis space for more!
