Ranbir Kapoor Debuts as Lord Rama in 'Ramayana' Trailer Launch

The eagerly awaited film 'Ramayana', which has generated significant interest among audiences, debuted its trailer on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti. The film stars Ranbir Kapoor as the central figure, Lord Rama, and is directed by Nitesh Tiwari. The production is a collaboration between Namit Malhotra's Prime Focus Studios, the Academy Award-winning VFX firm DNEG, and Yash's Monster Mind Creations.

Adapted from the ancient Sanskrit epic by Valmiki, 'Ramayana' features a strong ensemble cast alongside Kapoor, including Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Ravi Dubey as Lakshmana, and Sunny Deol portraying Hanuman. Kajal Aggarwal plays Mandodari, while Rakul Preet Singh takes on the role of Surpanakha. The film also includes performances from Arun Govil, Kunal Kapoor, Adinath Kothare, Sheeba Chaddha, Indira Krishnan, and Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi.

The musical score for the film is being composed by Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman, both icons in the industry known for their exceptional contributions to film music.

'Ramayana' is set to be released in two parts, with the first installment scheduled for Diwali 2026 and the follow-up set for Diwali 2027. This ambitious project has an estimated budget of $500 million for both parts combined. Both films have been specifically shot for Imax, promising a grand visual experience.

Director Nitesh Tiwari is well-known for his previous work on the blockbuster 'Dangal', which holds the record as the highest-grossing Indian film.

The narrative focuses on the exile of prince Rama and his wife Sita, whose idyllic life in the forest is disrupted by Sita's kidnapping by the demon king Ravana. This event triggers a monumental conflict between the forces representing good and evil, with the first part expected to culminate with Sita's abduction. The second part will explore Rama's efforts to rescue his wife and confront Ravana.

The tale of Ramayana has been adapted for various formats throughout generations, with one of the most memorable adaptations being the television series directed by Ramanand Sagar, which aired on India’s Doordarshan from 1987 to 1988. This series captivated a massive audience, transforming it into a monumental cultural phenomenon. Even further back, the story was presented in film, notably with Vijay Bhatt’s 1943 movie 'Ram Rajya', remarkable for being the only film watched by Mahatma Gandhi.

The epic has also reached international audiences, with a notable collaborative animated film titled 'Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama' released in 1993, produced by Indian animator Ram Mohan and Japanese director Yugo Sako.

The anticipation surrounding 'Ramayana' reflects its enduring legacy in popular culture, as fans eagerly await the cinematic retelling of this ancient epic.