Ramayana: Part 1, the first instalment of Nitesh Tiwari’s two-part adaptation of the ancient Indian epic, will be released worldwide on November 6, 2026. The film has been officially titled Ramayana: Rise of a Legend and will be released in IMAX and Premium Large Formats.
Sony Pictures is handling global distribution for the film, excluding India, where Prime Focus Studios will oversee the release. The announcement was made at San Diego Comic-Con, where producer Namit Malhotra presented the project to the Ballroom 20 crowd.
Two-Part Epic
The film is envisioned as a two-part saga. Part 1 will arrive in November 2026, while Part 2 is scheduled for release during Diwali 2027. Both parts have been filmed for IMAX.
The release window coincides with the Diwali holiday frame, a period that marks the return of Rama to his kingdom of Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and his victory over Ravana.
Cast and Crew
Ranbir Kapoor stars as Lord Rama, with Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana. Sunny Deol portrays Lord Hanuman, and Ravie Dubey appears as Lakshman.
The film features music by Oscar winners A.R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer. Action choreography is by Terry Notary and Guy Norris, with production design by Ramsey Avery and Ravi Bansal.
Nitesh Tiwari directs from a screenplay by Shridhar Raghavan. The film is produced by Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios in collaboration with DNEG, the eight-time Oscar-winning visual effects house, and Yash’s Monster Mind Creations.
Ranbir Kapoor on the Role
In a behind-the-scenes video released by the makers, Ranbir Kapoor spoke about the responsibility of portraying Lord Rama.
He said, ‘Lord Rama’s biggest strength is not his bow, it is his Kshama (forgiving nature) – his ability to forgive. Ye role nahi hai. It’s not ki mujhe ek film offer hui hai aur role exciting hai. Ye ek zimmedaari hai (This is not a role. It’s not as if I was offered a film and the role is exciting. It’s a responsibility).’
Kapoor also reflected on the personal connection to the release date. The film is set to release on November 6, which coincides with the birthday of his daughter, Raha Kapoor.
He said, ‘It was such a sweet coincidence in my life. Raha made me a better person and Ramayana wanted me to be a better person for Raha, so everything was connected. Like I said, I was at the right place at the right time when a film of this magnitude was being made on our truth, on our culture, on our history in the most authentic way. It was just a blessing and I’m going to be grateful for all my life.’
Staggered Release in India
Producer Namit Malhotra clarified that the India release date differs from the international rollout. While the worldwide release is November 6, the film will hit theatres in India on November 8, coinciding with Diwali.
Malhotra said, ‘It (Ramayana) will release in India on Diwali. We are releasing internationally (on November 6) because the international distribution works from a Friday standpoint, which is the 6th of November. But (in) India, currently, we are targeting the Diwali release.’
According to reports, paid previews are planned in India on November 4, followed by an official opening on November 5. Overseas markets including Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Germany, the rest of Europe, and Latin America are scheduled for November 5. The UK, South Africa, and Mauritius are listed for November 6.
China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong are yet to receive confirmed dates and could either join the worldwide release or opt for a later rollout.
Two Versions in the US
American audiences will have two versions of the film to choose from. AMC listings show the Hindi version with a runtime of 3 hours and 15 minutes, while the English-language cut, titled Ramayana: Rise of a Legend, runs 2 hours and 45 minutes.
The difference in duration is reportedly linked to the songs and interval included in the Hindi version, which are not part of the English cut. The makers have not issued a statement regarding this.
The film’s first instalment is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on November 6, 2026. Ramayana: Part Two will arrive in theatres on Diwali 2027.