Ramayana: Rise of A Legend and King is the first part of Nitesh Tiwari’s two-part Hindi-language mythological epic, also listed as Ramayana: Part 1 and Ramayana: Rise of a Legend. The ramayana 2026 release is based on the ancient Sanskrit epic by Valmiki. Namit Malhotra and Yash produced it under Prime Focus Studios, Monster Mind Creations and DNEG. The film stars Ranbir Kapoor as Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana, with Sunny Deol as Hanuman and Ravi Dubey as Lakshmana.

The ranbir kapoor ramayana project was announced in 2017 and went through many changes before Tiwari took sole charge. Filming began in April 2024 and Part 1 wrapped in July 2025. Music comes from A. R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer, and the visual effects come from DNEG. The film is set for release in Indian cinemas on 5 November 2026, just before Diwali. It carries a reported budget of ₹4,000 crore across both parts, which makes it the most expensive Indian film ever made.

Ramayana: Rise of A Legend and King – Movie Details

Category	Details
Movie Name	Ramayana: Rise of A Legend and King (Ramayana: Part 1)
Release Date	5 November 2026 (India); 6 November 2026 in some international markets
Country	India
Language	Hindi (also Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and English)
Genre	Epic Mythological Fantasy, Action, Drama
Director	Nitesh Tiwari
Lead Cast	Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Yash
Supporting Cast	Sunny Deol, Ravi Dubey, Lara Dutta, Kajal Aggarwal, Rakul Preet Singh, Arun Govil, Indira Krishnan, Sheeba Chaddha
Production Companies	Prime Focus Studios, Monster Mind Creations, DNEG
Producers	Namit Malhotra, Yash
Music	A. R. Rahman, Hans Zimmer
Runtime	195 minutes
Certification	U (CBFC)
Reported Budget	₹4,000 crore (both parts combined)
Franchise	Ramayana (Part 2 planned for Diwali 2027)

Plot

The ramayana 2026 story follows the early life of Prince Rama, the heir to the throne of Ayodhya. Guided by the sage Vishvamitra, Rama proves his strength and virtue by defeating the demoness Tataka. He then travels to Mithila, where he strings the divine bow of Shiva at a royal swayamvara. This win earns him the hand of Princess Sita in marriage.

The happy phase does not last. Queen Kaikeyi uses two old boons to demand that Rama be removed from the line of succession and sent into exile for fourteen years. Bound by duty and obedience to his father, Rama gives up the throne. He leaves for the Dandaka forest with Sita and his loyal brother Lakshmana.

The forest brings danger. Ravana, the powerful king of Lanka, plans the abduction of Sita and uses the illusion of a golden deer to separate her from Rama. Part 1 ends with this loss and with the start of the search for Sita. Director Nitesh Tiwari has confirmed that the first part closes on a cliffhanger. The war between Rama and Ravana is therefore left for the second part.

The film presents Ravana as an immortal king driven by vengeance, and the official synopsis speaks of a prophecy that binds his fate to Rama’s. This gives the story a direct face-off between the two leads from the very beginning. The ranbir kapoor ramayana film keeps its focus on the bond between Rama and Sita while the threat from Lanka grows.

Main Cast and Characters

Ranbir Kapoor as Rama: Rama is the prince of Ayodhya, known as Maryada Purushottam, the ideal man. The ranbir kapoor ramayana role asks for restraint, compassion and physical strength. Kapoor also plays Parashurama and Lord Vishnu in the film. Nitesh Tiwari has said that nobody else could carry the expectations of a billion people in this part.

Sai Pallavi as Sita: Sita is the princess of Mithila and Rama’s wife. She follows him into exile and becomes the centre of the conflict when Ravana abducts her. Her character brings calm, strength and emotional depth to the first part of the story.

Yash as Ravana: Ravana is the powerful ruler of Lanka. In this version he is shown as an immortal king driven by vengeance. Yash makes his Hindi film debut with this role and also co-produces the film through Monster Mind Creations.

Sunny Deol as Hanuman: Hanuman is Rama’s devoted ally and a key figure in the search for Sita. His role is expected to grow in the second part of the story.

Ravi Dubey as Lakshmana: Lakshmana is Rama’s younger brother and constant companion. He follows Rama into the forest and stays with him through the exile. This is Ravi Dubey’s film debut.

Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi: Kaikeyi is the queen whose demand sets the exile in motion. Her decision changes the future of the royal family and of the kingdom.

Support Cast and Characters

Kajal Aggarwal as Mandodari: Mandodari is Ravana’s wife and queen of Lanka.

Rakul Preet Singh as Shurpanakha: Shurpanakha is Ravana’s sister. Her encounter with Rama and Lakshmana in the forest leads directly to the events that follow.

Arun Govil as Dasharatha: Govil played Rama in the 1987 television series Ramayan. In this film he plays King Dasharatha, the father of Rama.

The wider cast includes Indira Krishnan as Kaushalya, Sonal Jha as Sumitra, Adinath Kothare as Bharata, Sheeba Chaddha as Manthara, Ajinkya Deo as Vishvamitra, Shishir Sharma as Vasishtha, Harish Uthaman as Vibhishana, Faisal Malik as Kumbhakarna, Vivek Oberoi as Vidyutjihva and Kunal Kapoor as Indra. Anupam Kher voices Jatayu, and Amitabh Bachchan is listed as narrator on Metacritic.

Production, Creative and Technical Aspects

Development and Story

The project was announced in May 2017 as a live-action trilogy by producers Allu Aravind, Namit Malhotra and Madhu Mantena. Nitesh Tiwari and Ravi Udyawar joined as directors in 2019, and Shridhar Raghavan began work on the screenplay. Later the plan changed to a two-part series under Tiwari’s sole direction. The script draws mainly from Valmiki’s Ramayana, and the makers say it is a traditional retelling rather than a reinterpretation. The story was developed with guidance from scholars so that the ramayana 2026 adaptation stays close to the epic.

Casting and Characters

Casting director Mukesh Chhabra built a very large ensemble. The ramayana ranbir kapoor casting was confirmed in August 2023, when Ranbir Kapoor and Yash joined as Rama and Ravana, and Sai Pallavi came on board as Sita in the same month. Sunny Deol joined in October 2023 and Ravi Dubey followed in 2024. More names were added through 2025 and 2026, including Kajal Aggarwal, Vivek Oberoi, Shobana and Faisal Malik. The cast mixes actors from Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam cinema to appeal across India and abroad.

Filming and Locations

Principal photography began on 2 April 2024 at Film City in Mumbai under the working title God Power. A large Ayodhya set served as the main location. The makers banned phones on set after photos leaked online in April 2024. Shooting for Part 1 continued until July 2025. Work on the second part began in Mumbai in March 2026. The post-production phase ran for a long period because of the heavy visual effects load.

Production Companies

Prime Focus Studios, Monster Mind Creations and DNEG produced the film. Namit Malhotra, whose companies have worked on major Hollywood titles, leads the project. Yash joined as co-producer in April 2024 through Monster Mind Creations. Dharma Productions acquired the Hindi theatrical distribution rights in India for a reported ₹250 crore. Sony Pictures Releasing handles the overseas release.

Music and Background Score

A. R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer jointly composed the score and songs. This is Zimmer’s full debut in Indian cinema. Rahman has described the process as terrifying and complicated because of the cultural weight of the epic. The score blends Zimmer’s large orchestral soundscapes with Indian elements and includes Sanskrit verses. Kumar Vishwas wrote the lyrics. T-Series acquired the music rights for both parts in a deal reported at around ₹75 crore.

Cinematography and Editing

Pankaj Kumar and Mahesh Limaye handled the cinematography, and Huzefa Lokhandwala edited the film. The visual style mixes large fantasy landscapes with grounded human drama. Malhotra has compared the intended tone to films such as The Lord of the Rings and Gladiator. The editing has to balance a long running time with several major episodes from the epic, from the gurukul scenes to the swayamvara and the forest exile.

Visual Effects, Action and Stunts

DNEG, the Oscar-winning visual effects studio, created the effects and also co-produced the film. Terry Notary, known for Avatar and Avengers: Endgame, worked as action director. Guy Norris, known for Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, designed large action sequences and worked closely with Yash. The film uses motion capture, virtual production and large sets. The English version of the film uses AI-based lip-sync technology so that the actors appear to speak English on screen.

Music and Soundtrack Details

The soundtrack features songs and themes by A. R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer with lyrics by Kumar Vishwas. T-Series is the music label. Three tracks have been released so far, and more songs may arrive around the theatrical release.

No.	Title	Music	Singer(s)
1	Ramayana (The Introduction Theme)	A. R. Rahman, Hans Zimmer	Choir ensemble
2	Rama Theme	A. R. Rahman, Hans Zimmer	A. R. Rahman
3	Jai Jai Ram	A. R. Rahman	Shreya Ghoshal, Arijit Singh

1. Ramayana (The Introduction Theme)

The theme was released in a short version on 3 July 2025 with the first glimpse of the film. It uses a large choir and a deep orchestral sound. The piece sets the tone for the ramayana ranbir kapoor project and introduces the epic scale of the story. Its Sanskrit-inspired vocals give it a spiritual feel.

2. Rama Theme

The Rama Theme is a short instrumental piece with vocals by A. R. Rahman himself. It focuses on the calm and noble nature of Rama. The melody is simple and respectful, and it supports the character’s restraint rather than showing power.

3. Jai Jai Ram

“Jai Jai Ram” is the first full song from the film. It was released on 14 September 2026, which coincided with Ganesh Chaturthi. The track runs for about five minutes and is sung by Shreya Ghoshal and Arijit Singh. Rahman composed it, and Kumar Vishwas wrote the lyrics. An orchestral version by Rahman and Zimmer also exists. The song celebrates devotion to Rama.

Background Score

The background score supports the film’s large battles, family scenes and spiritual moments. Critics who have already seen the film say the score by Rahman and Zimmer gives the story the splendour it needs. In an epic of this length, the music helps the audience to follow the shift between emotional drama and large action scenes.

Release Date and Theatrical Distribution

Ramayana: Rise of A Legend and King Release Details

Detail	Information
Film Title	Ramayana: Rise of A Legend and King (Ramayana: Part 1)
Release Date in India	5 November 2026 (Thursday)
International Release	5–6 November 2026, depending on territory
World Premiere	27 October 2026, Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Los Angeles
Paid Previews	4 November 2026
Trailer Release Date	30 July 2026
Certification	U (CBFC, 30 October 2026)
Runtime	195 minutes (3 hours 15 minutes)
Indian Distributor	Dharma Productions
International Distributor	Sony Pictures Releasing
Music Label	T-Series
OTT Platform	JioHotstar (pay-per-view)
OTT Release Date	Not officially announced

Official Release Date

The ramayana 2026 release date is 5 November 2026 in India. The film was first planned for Diwali, which falls on 8 November this year. The makers later moved the release two days earlier, to a worldwide opening just ahead of the festival. Metacritic lists 6 November 2026 for the US release, so the exact day can differ by territory. Part 2 is planned for Diwali 2027.

Worldwide Theatrical Release

Sony Pictures Releasing took over the international release, which makes this one of the widest releases ever for an Indian film. Reports suggest a rollout on around 59,000 screens worldwide, with about 50,000 screens in overseas markets and about 9,000 in India. The film is also set for a November release in China under the title Ramayana: The Legend of the Prince. The world premiere took place on 27 October 2026 at the Academy Museum in Los Angeles. Early reactions to the premiere were positive.

Certification and Runtime

The Central Board of Film Certification passed the Hindi version with a U certificate on 30 October 2026. The board asked for no cuts. The certified runtime is 195 minutes, which equals three hours and 15 minutes. A U certificate means the film is suitable for all age groups, so families can watch it together. Metacritic lists a shorter running time for the international cut, but the Indian certificate shows 195 minutes.

Theatrical Formats and Presentation

The film is releasing in standard 2D, 3D and IMAX in many cinemas. It will also become the first Indian film to release in the ScreenX format worldwide. The format choices suit the large battle scenes and the visual effects work. Availability varies by city and cinema, so not every format will show at every theatre.

Languages

The film releases in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam. An English version with AI lip-sync is also part of the global plan. Tamil Nadu distribution is handled by Think Studios, and Monster Mind Creations handles Karnataka.

Ramayana Trailer Release Date and Promotions

The ramayana trailer release date became one of the most discussed topics of the campaign. The official trailer was first shown at the Pratham Sankalp event at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on 18 July 2026. It then played at San Diego Comic-Con on 23 July. A worldwide digital release was planned for 24 July, but the makers postponed it hours before the launch because Sony Pictures was joining as the international distributor.

The final ramayana trailer release date was 30 July 2026. The trailer went live at 4:15 am IST during Brahma Muhurat on the World of Ramayana YouTube channel, in five Indian languages. It runs for four minutes and nine seconds. It opens with Ravana’s rule over Lanka, moves to Rama’s life in Ayodhya, shows Kaikeyi’s demand and the exile, and ends with the Shurpanakha episode and the abduction of Sita.

An English trailer followed on 5 August 2026, using AI lip-sync so that the actors appear to speak English. The first song, “Jai Jai Ram”, came out on 14 September. A second international trailer was unveiled at a special event in Bengaluru on 15 October 2026. The makers also held a promotional event in Mumbai on 26 September with the YouTuber MrBeast as part of the global campaign.

The table below lists the ramayana trailer release date and the other promotion milestones.

Promotion Milestone	Date
First glimpse “Ramayana: The Introduction”	3 July 2025
Rama glimpse (Hanuman Jayanti)	2 April 2026
Pratham Sankalp event, New Delhi	18 July 2026
Official trailer	30 July 2026
English trailer	5 August 2026
First song “Jai Jai Ram”	14 September 2026
Second international trailer	15 October 2026
World premiere, Los Angeles	27 October 2026

OTT Release and Streaming Availability

The ranbir kapoor ramayana film will stream on JioHotstar after its theatrical run. The makers have confirmed a pay-per-view model, so viewers will need to buy access separately instead of watching it as part of a normal subscription. The official OTT release date has not been announced. A digital premiere normally follows the end of the theatrical window, and the exact date depends on the box office run. Until the makers confirm a date, no OTT release date should be treated as final.

Budget and Box Office Collection

Ramayana: Rise of A Legend and King Budget and Box Office

Box Office Detail	Reported Figures
Reported Budget (Part 1 and Part 2)	₹4,000 crore
Industry Estimate for Part 1 Alone	Around ₹835 crore (unconfirmed)
Indian Distribution Rights	₹250 crore (Dharma Productions)
Music Rights	₹75 crore (T-Series, both parts)
India Advance Booking (3 November 2026)	Over ₹70 crore gross
Hindi Share of Advance Booking	₹57.83 crore gross (82 percent)
Overseas Pre-Sales	Close to $3 million (reported earlier)
Opening Day Collection	To be reported after release on 5 November 2026

Production Budget

Producer Namit Malhotra has said that the budget of the two-part ramayana project is about ₹4,000 crore. Reports say this figure also includes marketing costs. This is the highest figure ever claimed for an Indian film. Some trade reports estimate Part 1 alone at about ₹835 crore, or around $100 million, but this number is not confirmed by the makers. These are industry estimates and not audited figures.

Advance Booking

The ramayana 2026 advance sales opened late because distributors and exhibitors negotiated revenue-sharing terms. Six days before release, the film had crossed ₹17 crore in India with about 3.34 lakh tickets sold. By 3 November, two days before release, Sacnilk reported advance bookings of more than ₹70 crore gross across India. Hindi contributed ₹57.83 crore gross, which is about 82 percent of the total, from 52,739 shows. South Indian markets also contributed. Overseas pre-sales were reported near $3 million, with North America contributing close to $1.9 million.

Opening Day and Box Office Predictions

The ramayana 2026 film releases on 5 November 2026, so no verified day-wise collection is available yet. Opening day figures from trade trackers will be added once released. The advance numbers suggest a strong start, helped by the Diwali holiday period and the wide screen count. Final totals can differ between trackers because of reporting cut-offs and the difference between net and gross collections. Worldwide gross is not the same as the share that producers receive.

Ratings, Reviews and Audience Reception

Rating Platform	Rating / Review
IMDb	No verified user rating yet; listed as IMDb’s most anticipated Indian film of H2 2026
Metacritic Metascore	56/100 (mixed or average, based on 4 critic reviews)
Metacritic User Score	Not available yet

Ratings change as more votes and reviews arrive, so these numbers are a snapshot taken before the Indian release.

IMDb Rating and Anticipation

The film does not have a stable IMDb audience score yet because the Indian release has not begun. IMDb has already named it the most anticipated Indian film of the second half of 2026, based on page views from its global audience. A later IMDb India Spotlight chart showed the film with about 62.8 percent of the interest on the list. The final user rating will become clearer after the first weekend.

Metacritic Rating and Critics Reviews

Metacritic shows a Metascore of 56 out of 100 from four critics, which counts as mixed or average. Two reviews are positive and two are mixed. IndieWire gave 75 and praised the sheer variety of spectacle, from wars and musical numbers to arena contests and shape-shifting. Screen Rant gave 70 and called the film gorgeously made, with a good mix of effects and stunt work. Next Best Picture gave 50, praised the Rahman and Zimmer score and found enough in the story to stay curious about Part 2. IGN gave 40 and criticised the action, the computer graphics and the AI lip-sync, while noting that the film is only a first part.

Audience Response

Early reactions after the Los Angeles premiere were positive, and several critics in India and abroad have praised the scale. Audience discussion has focused on the ranbir kapoor ramayana performance, the work of Yash, the music, the visual effects and the use of AI lip-sync for the English version. Some viewers have asked whether the film feels complete as a first part. The mixed critic scores show that opinion is still divided.

Ramayana: Rise of A Legend and King Photos

The photo gallery of Ramayana: Rise of A Legend and King features Ranbir Kapoor as Rama, Yash as Ravana, Sai Pallavi as Sita and key scenes from the epic. These photos offer a closer look at the cast, the costumes and the large sets.

Where to Watch Ramayana: Rise of A Legend and King

The ramayana 2026 release is scheduled for theatres in India from 5 November 2026. Showtimes and formats vary by city and cinema, so viewers should check local listings before they plan a visit. After the theatrical run, the film will move to JioHotstar on a pay-per-view basis. Fans of the ramayana ranbir kapoor film can also follow official updates for any change in showtimes.

• BookMyShow: Search for the film to check nearby cinemas, showtimes and ticket prices.
• District: Browse local cinema listings and movie tickets.
• TicketNew: Check participating theatres and book available screenings.
• PVR INOX: Search for shows at participating PVR and INOX cinemas.
• Cinépolis India: Check available shows at participating Cinépolis locations.

Availability depends on the city, cinema and current schedule. Search for the film on these platforms to confirm tickets.

Is Ramayana: Rise of A Legend and King Worth Watching?

Ramayana: Rise of A Legend and King is worth watching for viewers who enjoy large-scale mythological epics and big-screen spectacle. The ramayana ranbir kapoor pairing with Yash as Ravana is the main attraction. The ramayana 2026 film also offers strong visual effects from DNEG, a score by A. R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer, and action by internationally known stunt teams. The U certificate makes it suitable for family viewing during Diwali. However, the running time is three hours and 15 minutes, and the story ends on a cliffhanger. Viewers who want a complete story may find that Part 1 only sets up the war. Critic scores are mixed, so expectations should stay balanced. Overall, it is a good choice for fans of Indian mythology and large cinema experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions