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Ramayana: Part One (2026) — India’s ₹4,000 Crore Gamble on the Epics Biggest Ever Screen Adaptation

Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana: Part One is not just the most expensive Indian film ever attempted. It is a declaration of intent by Prime Focus Studios and Namit Malhotra that Indian mythology belongs on the global IMAX stage, backed by Hans Zimmer, A.R. Rahman, and DNEG’s VFX pipeline.

With Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Yash as Ravana, the film releases across Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and English on November 5, 2026, with pre-Diwali paid previews on November 4.

Ramayana Part One: Core Identity and Release Format

Cast and Crew: The Ramayana Ensemble

Director Nitesh Tiwari, best known for middle-budget social dramas like Dangal and Chhichhore, now commands a combined ₹4,000 crore two-part production. That is a scale jump of nearly forty times his previous biggest canvas, and the casting reflects that ambition.

The Story: From Swayamvara to Sita’s Abduction

Part One opens with Prince Rama’s martial and spiritual virtue being established through his vanquishing of malevolent Rakshasi forces, demonstrating his divine capabilities early in the epic.

The journey moves to Mithila, where the royal Swayamvara for Princess Sita sets the central inciting incident in motion. Rama strings the Pinaka, the divine bow of Lord Shiva, a feat no other suitor could accomplish, securing his union with Sita.

The celebration is shadowed by Ayodhya’s political dynamics, particularly Queen Kaikeyi’s machinations for her own son’s succession. King Dasharatha, bound by a promise to Kaikeyi, is forced to exile Rama for fourteen years despite him being the rightful heir.

This decision triggers a profound emotional collapse in Dasharatha, whose regal pride gives way to overwhelming regret. Rama accepts his exile without resistance, embodying filial obedience over personal claim.

Sita and Lakshmana insist on accompanying him, refusing to abandon their husband and brother. The stakes escalate with Ravana, the king of Lanka who has conquered the three worlds and usurped his brother Kubera’s throne.

When Surpanakha encounters the exiled trio in the forest, a confrontation ignites a chain of vengeance that culminates in Ravana’s abduction of Sita. A story of exile transforms into a cosmic conflict between dharma and adharma.

Technical Execution: Zimmer, Rahman, and DNEG

The music department is the production’s headline asset. Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman collaborate on the score, with notable tracks including the “Ramayana Theme” featured in the trailer, shloka-based compositions, and the track featuring ‘Dharti hai ambar hai’.

Target Demographics and Screen Strategy

The primary target audience spans family audiences pan-India, mass single-screen centres with a devotional mythological base, urban multiplex tier-1 viewers drawn by IMAX spectacle, and youth demographics pulled in by the ensemble cast and VFX scale.

OTT Rights: The ₹1,000 Crore Standoff

The digital rights battle is now the most talked-about negotiation in Indian trade circles. Producer Namit Malhotra reportedly rejected a ₹700 crore offer for both parts combined, holding out for a ₹1000 crore deal.

Netflix reportedly offered ₹750 crore for both parts, but negotiations stalled. The ₹700–750 crore range represents the highest ever offer for an Indian film, dwarfing prior digital benchmarks.

The producer’s rejection signals unprecedented confidence in theatrical recovery. A strategy under consideration involves selling Part 1 rights now while holding Part 2 until after Part 1’s theatrical release.

Theatrical Buzz and Pre-Release Metrics

Commercial Economics: The ₹4,000 Crore Bet

The estimated production and marketing budget stands at ₹4,000 crore combined for both parts, approximately $500 million USD. This makes Ramayana the most expensive Indian film production in history by a wide margin.

Critics Pulse: Spectacle Praised, Ranbir Criticised

Early trailer reviews are sharply divided. Praise centres on the monumental scale, the Zimmer/Rahman score — specifically the ‘Dharti hai ambar hai’ crescendo — and Yash’s menacing, charismatic portrayal of Ravana, which critics describe as the trailer’s standout element.

Visual effects, particularly the Jatayu sequence and battle imagery, are noted as a marked improvement over Adipurush, with elaborate environments and rakshasa designs receiving positive mentions.

However, significant criticism targets Ranbir Kapoor’s performance, with reviewers noting he “appears as Ranbir, not Rama” and that his dialogue delivery feels “flat” and lacks the divine gravitas required.

The trailer’s decision to reveal extensive plot details rather than tease has also been critiqued as “showing all its big cards”. Audience word-of-mouth is overwhelmingly positive for Yash’s Ravana and the visual spectacle, with comparisons to Adipurush favouring Ramayana for its restraint and emotional grounding.

Skepticism persists regarding Ranbir Kapoor’s casting as Rama, with some viewers expressing divided opinions. The withholding of Sunny Deol’s Hanuman design has generated curiosity and anticipation.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Ramayana: Part One releasing in theatres?▼

Ramayana: Part One releases on November 5, 2026 in India, with pre-Diwali paid previews scheduled for November 4, 2026. The global rollout is staggered across November 5–6, 2026.

Who plays Lord Rama, Sita, and Ravana in Ramayana: Part One?▼

Ranbir Kapoor plays Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi plays Sita, and Yash plays Ravana. The supporting cast includes Sunny Deol as Hanuman, Ravie Dubey as Lakshmana, Anupam Kher as King Dasharatha, Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi, Rakul Preet Singh as Surpanakha, and Arun Govil as King Dashrath.

What is the budget of Ramayana: Part One?▼

The estimated production and marketing budget is ₹4,000 crore combined for both parts, approximately $500 million USD. This makes it the most expensive Indian film production ever mounted.

Will Ramayana: Part One release on OTT or in theatres first?▼

Ramayana: Part One is a theatrical-first release. The official streaming partner has not been confirmed, and digital rights remain unsold as of the research date. Producer Namit Malhotra reportedly rejected a ₹700 crore offer and is holding out for a ₹1,000 crore deal for both parts combined.

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What is the runtime and censor rating of Ramayana: Part One?▼

Both the official runtime and the censor certification rating are officially not confirmed as of the research date. The film is expected to carry a U or U/A certification given its mythological family-audience positioning.

Who is directing Ramayana and who composed the music?▼

Nitesh Tiwari directs from a screenplay by Shridhar Raghavan. The music is a collaboration between Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman, with notable tracks including the “Ramayana Theme” and the shloka-based composition featuring ‘Dharti hai ambar hai’. Action choreography is by Terry Notary and Guy Norris.

Editorial Verdict: The Scale Gamble

Ramayana: Part One is betting that Indian audiences will pay IMAX prices for a mythological epic backed by Hollywood’s biggest composer and one of the world’s leading VFX houses. The early trailer has done its job, generating buzz and a 94 buzz index.

The Yash-as-Ravana performance is the film’s trump card. The critical consensus places him as the trailer’s standout, and his casting brings the massive Kannada and pan-South market into the fold.

The Ranbir Kapoor question remains unresolved. Critics are openly divided on whether he can carry the divine gravitas the role demands, and the trailer’s dialogue delivery has become a talking point.

With ₹4,000 crore riding on both parts, the film needs a historic theatrical run to justify rejecting a ₹700 crore OTT offer. The November 5 release will answer whether Indian mythology can deliver on this ambitious scale.