Wasim Aftab
Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana has emerged as one of the most ambitious Indian film projects ever attempted. Starring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana, the film aims to bring the ancient Hindu epic to a global cinematic audience with large-scale production and advanced visual effects. The first trailer, released on July 30, 2026, immediately triggered widespread discussion about its visuals, casting, VFX and enormous budget.
What is the story of Ramayana?
The film is based on the Ramayana, one of the most important ancient Hindu epics. Traditionally attributed to the sage Valmiki, the story follows Lord Ram, the prince of Ayodhya and an embodiment of dharma, his wife Sita, and his brother Lakshman. After Ram is sent into exile, Sita is abducted by the powerful king Ravana of Lanka, leading eventually to the great conflict between Ram and Ravana.
Rather than presenting the entire epic in one film, Nitesh Tiwari and his team have planned the story as a two-part cinematic saga. The director has explained that the story deserves two films and that Part One will end at a dramatic point designed to make audiences immediately want to see Part Two.
Ramayana 2026 cast
The principal cast includes Ranbir Kapoor as Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana. Sunny Deol plays Hanuman, while Ravi Dubey portrays Lakshman. The supporting cast includes Arun Govil as Dashrath, Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi, Rakul Preet Singh as Shurpanakha, Kajal Aggarwal as Mandodari, Vivek Oberoi as Vidyutjihva and several other prominent actors.
The combination of Bollywood and South Indian stars has also helped the project attract attention beyond the Hindi-speaking market.
Budget: Is Ramayana really a ₹4,000 crore film?
The widely reported ₹4,000 crore ($500 million approximately) figure is not the budget of Part One alone. Yash recently clarified that the amount covers both films as well as release and promotional expenses, explaining that the project is being approached using what he described as a Hollywood-style financial model.
This makes Ramayana one of the most expensive Indian cinematic projects ever mounted. The involvement of Prime Focus and DNEG is particularly significant because the filmmakers are targeting Hollywood-level visual effects and an international presentation.
Release date and how many parts?
Ramayana: Part One is scheduled to release worldwide on November 6, 2026, shortly before Diwali. The second film is planned for Diwali 2027, although its final release date has not yet been officially announced.
Director Nitesh Tiwari has confirmed that Part One will end on a cliffhanger. He explained that the Ramayana is a linear story and that the selected stopping point was chosen to create anticipation for the concluding chapter.
What have the makers said?
Yash has defended the enormous budget, explaining that the ₹4,000 crore figure covers both films and global promotion. He also stressed that the film's revenue strategy is global rather than dependent only on the Indian market.
Tiwari has emphasized the emotional core of the project, saying that relationships and the emotions surrounding them are at the heart of the story.
Audience reaction and box-office prediction
The internet reaction has been mixed but highly engaged. Many viewers have praised the trailer's scale, VFX and Yash's portrayal of Ravana, while others have questioned the costumes, character appearances and whether the film can justify its huge investment.
Interestingly, discussion is not limited to India. Indian and Pakistani YouTube creators have reacted positively to the trailer's visuals and scale, suggesting that the film could attract curiosity in international markets as well.
My pre-release prediction: if the final film receives strong reviews and positive word of mouth, Part One could potentially reach around ₹600–800 crore net in India and approximately ₹1,200–1,600 crore worldwide. A blockbuster response could push it beyond these numbers. However, the ₹4,000 crore figure should not be treated as the break-even target for Part One because it represents the combined two-film project plus promotional and release costs.
The biggest advantage for Ramayana is its built-in cultural familiarity, massive star cast, Diwali timing and global visual ambition. Its biggest risk is equally clear: audiences already know the story, so the film will ultimately be judged on its execution, emotional impact, performances and respectful portrayal of characters that are deeply familiar to millions of people.