Ramayana (2026 film)

Origins

In May 2017, producers Allu Aravind, Namit Malhotra, and Madhu Mantena announced their plans to collaborate and adapt the Hindu Sanskrit epic Ramayana into a live-action feature film trilogy.^[10] They revealed that the development of the script had already been underway for nearly a year. It was envisioned as a multilingual production in Hindi along with several Indian regional languages and English. It was planned to be shot in 3D.^[11] Allu Aravind stated that his ambition was to bring Ramayana to the big screen in the "most magnificent way possible", while acknowledging that adapting the epic into a trilogy was an immense responsibility.^[12] Namit Malhotra, whose company Prime Focus had contributed visual effects to major Hollywood films like Star Wars, Transformers, X-Men: Apocalypse and The Martian until then, saw in the trilogy the potential to set new global benchmarks for Indian cinema.^[12] In February 2018, Mantena revealed that his inspiration to make the film series came from the life and work of Indian comic book writer Anant Pai, who had created the Amar Chitra Katha comics. He added that the film series was their collective effort in retelling Indian culture to newer generations in all possible "audio visual glory", with the help of the latest technology and visual effects.^[13][14] As the last widely recognized adaptations of the epic had been the television series, Ramayan (1987–88) by Ramanand Sagar, the producers stated that they wanted to adapt Ramayana for theatrical release.^[15][16]

Development

Ramayana is the first collaboration of Nitesh Tiwari and Namit Malhotra.

In July 2019, Tiwari and Ravi Udyawar came on board to co-direct the trilogy, while Shridhar Raghavan was hired to write the screenplay.^[17] Tiwari and Udyawar said they were motivated to undertake the project out of a sense of responsibility toward introducing the epic to their children, who, according to Tiwari, were familiar with the broad outline of the Ramayana but had not engaged with it in depth. Tiwari further cited the significant advancements in visual effects since the 1987-88 Ramayan television series as another factor behind the project.^[18] The producers' planned to commence filming by 2020 and maintain a relatively short gap between the release of each part. The first instalment was scheduled to be released in 2021.^[19] The production team commissioned paintings by artists from across India to serve as references for the films' settings, costumes, character designs and action sequences. The project also aimed to cast actors from different regional film industries to appeal to pan-Indian and international audiences.^[18]

Pre-production

In November 2019, Tiwari said that Raghavan had been writing the screenplay for the past three years under the guidance of scholars and pandits with expertize in the scriptures and epic, to ensure that the adaptation remained culturally accurate while making it accessible to contemporary audiences.^[20] In April 2020, Tiwari stated that they were carefully identifying aspects of the story that should remain unchanged while determining where limited cinematic liberties could be taken without affecting the epic's cultural and religious significance.^[21] Tiwari further added that the team sought to make the film appealing to younger audiences while remaining faithful to the expectations of audiences familiar with traditional retellings. He also described the project as technologically demanding because of its extensive visual effects requirements, citing the epic's fantastical settings and creatures as presenting opportunities for large-scale world-building.^[22][23] During the COVID-19 pandemic in India, the development of screenplay continued through virtual meetings involving members of the creative team across the country.^[24]

In June 2021, Mantena said that the trilogy was being developed as a long-term project, revealing that more than 200 artists from around the world, including several Academy Award winners, had been working on it for two years using a production process inspired by Avatar.^[25] The following month, he described the trilogy as a linear adaptation of Valmiki's Ramayana that would incorporate many of the epic's subsidiary narratives while extensive digital assets were being created during pre-production. In September 2021, Mantena said that the filmmakers were primarily drawing from Valmiki's Ramayana while also studying artistic interpretations by painters such as Raja Ravi Varma, emphasizing that the project was intended to be a traditional adaptation rather than a reinterpretation of the epic.^[26] In December 2022, Mantena said that the screenplay was expected to be completed within a few months, with principal photography planned to begin in September 2023.^[27] In June 2023, he dismissed reports that the project had been indefinitely postponed, stating that filming was expected to begin later that year.^[28] In March 2024, it was reported that DNEG virtual production had come on board as the producer along side Mantena.^[29] In the same month, it was reported that Mantena had stepped back from his role as a producer citing financial concerns.^[30] He later got involved in a legal tussle with Malhotra's Prime Focus Technologies regarding the IP rights of the film, which was ultimately settled when he was provided compensation of ₹80 cr (US$9 million).^[31] Later, in April 2024, it was confirmed that Yash through his company Mind Monster Creations was confirmed as co-producer alongside Malhotra.^[32][33]

Casting

(Left to right) Ranbir Kapoor, Yash and Sai Pallavi portray Rama, Ravana and Sita respectively

In July 2021, Mantena said that the ensemble cast would be announced by Diwali later that year.^[34] He stated that the film would feature what he described as "the biggest cast ever in the history of Indian cinema" and that actors would be drawn from across the country, saying the casting reflected the filmmakers' intention to present the epic as a pan-Indian project.^[25] Mukesh Chhabra was announced as the casting director for the film.^[35] In August 2023, Ranbir Kapoor and Yash joined the film for the roles of Rama and Ravana respectively.^[36] Later, Kapoor was confirmed to play dual role of Rama as well as Parashurama.^[37] In the same month Sai Pallavi joined the cast for the role of Sita.^[38] In October 2023, Sunny Deol also joined the cast for the role of Hanuman. He reportedly charged ₹45 crore for his role.^[39] In early 2024, Vijay Sethupathi was rumoured to play the role of Vibhishana in the film,^[40] however later he declined these rumours.^[41] Similarly, Bobby Deol was also reportedly rumoured to play the role of Kumbhakarna which also turned false.^[42] In February 2024, Rakul Preet Singh reportedly joined the cast for the role of Shurpanakha.^[43] In March 2024, Ravi Dubey also reportedly joined the film for the role of Lakshmana.^[44] In April 2024, Arun Govil, Lara Dutta and Sheeba Chaddha were also confirmed to be part of the film after images leaked from the sets confirmed their presence.^[45] In July 2024, Kunal Kapoor was confirmed to play an important role in the film.^[46] In September 2024, Indira Krishnan also the joined the cast.^[47] In May 2025, Kajal Aggarwal joined the cast for the role of Mandodari.^[48] Vivek Oberoi joined the cast in June 2025^[49] while Adinath Kothare and Shobana joined the cast in July 2025.^[50][51] Amitabh Bachchan was rumoured to voice the character of Jatayu, however later Anupam Kher was confirmed for the same.^[52] In March 2026, Faisal Malik was confirmed to play the role of Kumbhakarna.^[53] Harish Uthaman reportedly joined the cast for the role of Vibhishana.^[54]

Filming

Post-production

The film will reportedly be in post-production for 600 days.^[70] Visual effects were handled by DNEG who also co-produced the film.^[71]

Theatrical

The film is scheduled for release worldwide on 6 November 2026, during the Diwali weekend as the first installment of a planned two-part epic.^[97] It will be released in multiple languages with IMAX presentations as part of a large-scale global rollout.^[98]

Distribution

In July 2026, Dharma Productions acquired the North Indian theatrical distribution rights for around ₹250 crore.^[99] Later, Sony Pictures Entertainment acquired the overseas theatrical distribution rights.^[100]