03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘The aim is to share our great culture with the world,' says producer Namit Malhotra and director Nitesh Tiwari at Ramayana glimpse launch
The much-anticipated first glimpse of Ramayana, directed by Nitesh Tiwari and backed by Namit Malhotra, was launched today in front of a packed IMAX auditorium filled with media professionals and fans alike. Present at the launch were both Tiwari and Malhotra.
When an audience member asked director Nitesh Tiwari what he hoped to achieve by bringing this epic to the big screen, he said: 'For me, it's about the pride we should feel for the great culture we have in our country. If we can evoke that and show the world what we stand for, that would be an achievement—and that's what I'm hoping to do with this.'
Namit Malhotra, the producer of this ambitious project and founder of Prime Focus Limited, whose subsidiary DNEG specializes in visual effects, animation, and stereo conversion, expressed his disbelief that the film's first visual asset was finally out for the audience to experience.
'It has been a very, very long dream, to put our hearts and souls into this and do justice to it. My only aspiration is: how do we take our greatest culture, our greatest history, and share it with the world?' he said. Malhotra also added that his company is leaving no stone unturned in its effort to deliver the most spectacular cinematic experience possible.
The teaser opens with striking CGI visuals depicting the three principal deities of Hinduism: Lord Brahma (the creator), Lord Vishnu (the protector), and Lord Shiva (the destroyer). The sequence builds toward a message on screen: 'When the creation threatens to destroy their worlds, a war begins to end all wars.'
From there, the focus shifts to the central conflict. Ranbir Kapoor appears in a larger-than-life avatar as Lord Ram, opposite Yash, who takes on the formidable role of Ravan. Their on-screen duel is framed with stunning VFX and richly detailed digital imagery. The teaser then offers glimpses of artefacts and visuals inspired by the grandeur of the ancient epic. This is followed by the title card: 'Ramayana – Our Truth. Our History,' set against the glowing outline of the Indian subcontinent. But before it ends, in its final few seconds, the teaser shifts to live-action footage of Ranbir's Ram clashing head-on with Yash's Ravan.
The film's ensemble cast was also revealed: Sunny Deol takes on the role of Hanuman, Ravi Dubey plays Lakshman, and Sai Pallavi will be seen as Sita. The screenplay has been penned by the acclaimed writer Shridhar Raghavan. While not officially credited in the teaser, Arun Govil, best known for playing Lord Ram in Ramanand Sagar's classic Ramayan on Doordarshan, is set to portray Dashrath, Ram's father. Other additions to the cast include Rakul Preet Singh as Surpanakha, Vivek Oberoi as her husband Vidyutjihva, Indira Krishnan as Kaushalya (Ram's mother), Kajal Aggarwal as Mandodari, and Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi.
Ramayana will be released in two parts, with Part One slated for Diwali 2026 and Part Two expected to arrive in Diwali 2027.
