Nitesh Tiwari’s highly anticipated Indian mythological epic, Ramayana: Part 1, premiered worldwide today, November 5, 2026. This marks a significant cinematic event for Indian and global audiences.
Filmmakers launched the ambitious adaptation of Valmiki’s ancient epic poem in multiple languages and IMAX formats. This aims for broad international reach. Its arrival generated substantial pre-release buzz, positioning it as one of the most expensive Indian film productions ever undertaken.
Cast and Creative Team
Nitesh Tiwari directed the first installment and co-wrote its screenplay. The film features a prominent ensemble cast. Ranbir Kapoor leads as Lord Rama. Sai Pallavi portrays Sita, and Kannada star Yash makes his Hindi film debut as Ravana, the formidable king of Lanka. Sunny Deol plays Hanuman, while Ravi Dubey takes on the role of Lakshmana. Lara Dutta appears as Kaikeyi, and Anupam Kher as Jatayu.
Acclaimed composers Hans Zimmer and A. R. Rahman collaborated on the musical score. This project marks Zimmer’s debut in the Indian film industry.
Production Details and Early Reviews
Ramayana: Part 1 is the first of a planned two-part series. Its combined estimated budget is ₹4,000 crore (approximately US$420 million). This makes it the most expensive Indian film to date. Production began in April 2024 at Film City, Mumbai, and concluded in July 2025. Eight-time Oscar-winning company DNEG handled the visual effects for the grand spectacle.
Early audience reactions and critical reviews have largely been positive. Viewers praised the film’s visual scale, action sequences, and performances. However, some initial social media responses also noted mixed opinions. These concerned the music, pacing, and emotional depth.
Box Office Projections and Distribution
The film’s theatrical run began with robust advance bookings, reflecting high anticipation. Reports indicated worldwide advance bookings exceeded ₹150 crore gross. Opening day domestic advance sales in India reached approximately ₹50.08 crore gross. Industry analysts project an opening day collection between ₹75-100 crore across all languages. They estimate potential lifetime earnings between ₹1,000 crore and ₹3,000 crore.
Sony Pictures Entertainment handles global distribution, excluding India. Dharma Productions manages distribution in Hindi-speaking markets.
Future Plans: Sequel and Digital Release
Producers have slated the second installment, Ramayana: Part 2, for release during Diwali 2028. This marks a postponement from its initially planned 2027 debut. Producer Namit Malhotra suggested expanding the saga into a trilogy. This depends on the audience’s response to the initial films.
JioHotstar secured the streaming rights for Ramayana: Part 1‘s digital release. After its theatrical run, the film will be available on the platform via a dedicated on-demand purchase option. This will operate on a pay-per-view model, separate from the standard subscription catalog.
