Sony Pictures Entertainment is set to release “Ramayana” globally on November 6.
The epic, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Yash and Sai Pallavi, follows exiled prince Rama (Kapoor) and his consort Sita (Pallavi) through exile into catastrophe, as Sita’s abduction at the hands of Ravana (Yash) sets in motion an epic war between righteousness and evil.
Nitesh Tiwari helms the two-part adaptation. Designed for audiences across cultures, it will be released in multiple languages, including English.
In a trailer released earlier this Summer, audiences got a glimpse of footage showcasing high-scale visual effects, mythological weaponry, and massive battles as Rama vows to defeat Ravana across the three worlds and rescue Sita, signaling the start of the era of Rama.
Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman join forces to deliver the film’s epic score. The production also features action choreography by Terry Notary and Guy Norris, and production design by Ramsey Avery and Ravi Bansal.
The film is produced by Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios and Yash’s Monster Mind Creations. “Ramayana” Part 1 opens during the Diwali holiday frame, with Part 2 following on Diwali 2027.
The choice of release window is no accident. Diwali – one of the most widely observed festivals in the Hindu calendar – marks the return of Rama to his kingdom of Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and his victory over Ravana. The lighting of lamps that defines the celebration is said to represent the illumination of Ayodhya on the night its beloved prince came home.
“Ramayana” is planned as a two-part movie event based on the 5,000-year-old saga and is envisioned as an unprecedented cinematic spectacle for global audiences, with both parts filmed for Imax.
DNEG – the eight-time Oscar-winning VFX house, whose credits include the “Dune” movies, “Interstellar” and “Inception” – is handling visual effects. Tiwari, whose “Dangal” remains the highest-grossing Indian film ever made, directs from a screenplay by Shridhar Raghavan.
The film’s Indian distribution will be handled by media personality Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions.
