Nitesh Tiwari’s two-part adaptation of the Hindu epic Ramayana, starring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, is set for a global release in November 2026. The first instalment, officially titled Ramayana: Rise of a Legend, will open internationally on November 6, with the Indian release planned around Diwali on November 8.
The film is being mounted on a reported budget of ₹4,000 crore for the two-part saga, making it one of the most expensive Indian productions ever attempted. Sony Pictures is handling global distribution outside India, while Prime Focus Studios manages the domestic release.
Cast and Characters
The ensemble cast features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Goddess Sita, and Yash as Ravana. Sunny Deol portrays Hanuman, with Ravi Dubey as Lakshman. Arun Govil, who played Lord Rama in the iconic 1987 television series Ramayan, appears as King Dasharath.
Lara Dutta plays Kaikeyi, Rakul Preet Singh appears as Shurpanakha, and Vivek Oberoi and Kunal Kapoor are also part of the ensemble. The film will release in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam across India, with an English-language version for international markets.
Production and Release Plans
The project brings together Indian and international talent. Oscar-winning composers Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman provide the music. Action choreography is by Terry Notary and Guy Norris, with production design by Ramsey Avery and Ravi Bansal. The visual effects are handled by DNEG, the studio behind Dune and Interstellar.
Producer Namit Malhotra explained the dual release dates to NDTV. ‘So we are releasing internationally on November 6. The international distribution works from a Friday standpoint, so that’s why it’s releasing on the 6th of November. But in India, we are currently targeting the Diwali release,’ he said.
Recent reports indicate the Indian release may shift to pre-Diwali, with paid previews on November 4 and an official opening on November 5. The UK, South Africa, and Mauritius are listed for November 6. Release dates for China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong have not been confirmed.
Ranbir Kapoor on Playing Lord Rama
In a behind-the-scenes video released on his 44th birthday on September 28, Ranbir Kapoor spoke about the weight of the role. ‘Lord Rama’s biggest strength is not his bow, it is his Kshama – 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,’ he said.
He also connected the role to his personal life. ‘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,’ he said, referring to his daughter.
Sai Pallavi recalled seeing Kapoor in character for the first time. ‘He is a very slender Rama and his head is a little tilted… and there’s a bow this way. There’s a small and petite Sita. That is the image I remember from my childhood. Now suddenly I could see that Rama that I saw in my childhood and I was awestruck,’ she said.
Yash praised his co-star at a promotional event in Delhi. ‘Ranbir Kapoor has been phenomenal. I think the whole of India will understand how deeply he has surrendered to this role and see the magic he has created,’ he said.
Box Office and Distribution
Trade analysts project a worldwide gross exceeding ₹2,500 crore for the two-part epic. The makers reportedly sought a record ₹450 crore for Hindi theatrical distribution rights alone, surpassing the previous benchmark of approximately ₹250 crore.
Digital rights negotiations have also drawn attention. Reports indicate producer Namit Malhotra declined a ₹700 crore offer from Netflix for combined rights to both parts, aiming for a deal near ₹1,000 crore.
Recent Updates
A minor fire broke out in a tent outside Prime Focus Studios in Mumbai’s Film City on October 6. No injuries were reported, and filming resumed after the blaze was brought under control. FWICE president BN Tiwari confirmed the damage was minor.
Behind-the-scenes footage shows extensive use of green screens and visual effects for large-scale sequences. The BTS video, titled This Is Our Rama, features director Nitesh Tiwari and Arun Govil discussing Kapoor’s casting and transformation.
The trailer launch was postponed in July following the announcement of the Sony Pictures partnership. A new poster released on Kapoor’s birthday features him as Lord Rama alongside Yash as Ravana, with the tagline ‘Mankind’s greatest story comes to life.’
Ramayana: Part Two is scheduled for release during Diwali 2027. Kapoor has stated that filming for the sequel is already 50 percent complete, with Sunny Deol’s role as Hanuman expected to expand.