India’s ₹4,000-crore Ramayana eyes global stage: Visionary leap or risky bet?

The first glimpse of Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram in Ramayana has finally been unveiled, bringing with it both excitement and cautious anticipation that often surrounds large-scale mythological adaptations.

First showcased at an IMAX screening in Los Angeles before its India debut, the dialogue-free teaser leans heavily on grand visuals and scale. While many have praised its look and tone, others are reserving judgment on whether performances will match the spectacle.

Seven years in the making

For director Nitesh Tiwari, known for Dangal and Chhichhore, the project has been in development for over seven years. The film has undergone extensive research, multiple script iterations and detailed pre-visualisation to faithfully recreate the epic world.

Backed by producer Namit Malhotra, the film’s VFX pipeline was planned years in advance, reflecting a rare, Hollywood-style development cycle in Hindi cinema.

Scale, story and strategy

The ambitious project is being mounted as a two-part saga, with releases expected a year apart. With an estimated budget of ₹4,000 crore, it is among the most expensive Indian films ever made. Designed for IMAX, the film emphasises immersive storytelling, with Part 1 already shot and in post-production, while Part 2 is underway.

The music brings together global icons A. R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer, while international stunt teams and large-scale set pieces aim to match global fantasy standards.

Star-studded cast

The film features a sprawling ensemble:

• Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram
• Sai Pallavi as Sita
• Yash as Ravana
• Sunny Deol as Hanuman
• Ravi Dubey as Lakshman
• Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi
• Rakul Preet Singh as Surpanakha
• Kajal Aggarwal as Mandodari
• Arun Govil as King Dashrath
• Sheeba Chaddha as Manthara
• Indira Krishnan as Kausalya

A calculated rollout

The makers are adopting a staggered “glimpse” strategy, using early visuals to gauge public sentiment around a story with deep cultural and religious significance, while tightly controlling narrative and avoiding leaks.

Global ambition, key question

The film aims to position an Indian epic as a global spectacle, evident from its Los Angeles-first unveiling. This contrasts with films like RRR and K.G.F: Chapter 1, which built strong domestic resonance before gaining international traction.

By targeting global audiences from the outset, Ramayana raises a crucial question: can a culturally rooted story travel worldwide without first deeply anchoring itself at home?

The weight of Ram

At the centre is Ranbir Kapoor, who initially hesitated to take on the role due to its cultural weight, but was persuaded by Tiwari’s vision.

Set for a Diwali 2026 release, Ramayana is more than just a film — it is a high-stakes cultural project blending mythology, technology and global ambition. The first glimpse has set expectations high, but its true test will be balancing authenticity with universal appeal.