Ramayana is rewriting the rules of Indian cinema with jaw-dropping scale and ambition! With a massive all-star lineup featuring Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, Amitabh Bachchan, Sai Pallavi, Sunny Deol, and more, this two-part epic has recently claimed the title of the most expensive Indian film ever, with a combined budget of around Rs 4,000 crore (about $500 million). The film is being made on such a grand scale because the makers want it to become a global phenomenon. Will it be recognised as a masterpiece all over the world? Producer Namit Malhotra told the LA Times, “It’s a global film from the day we start.” He explained, “I’m not trying to make it to appease Indian people in India… If you go and watch ‘Ramayana’ and your family watches it, and people in India watch it, what’s the difference? It should speak to you like any other film.” He said that he wants both believers and non-believers to appreciate the film. He even compared Ramayana to James Cameron’s Avatar, Ridley Scott’s Gladiator, and the movies of Christopher Nolan. “In my mind, if people in the West don’t like it, I consider that a failure,” Malhotra said and added, “It is meant for the world. If you don’t like it, shame on me. We should have done a better job.” Director Nitesh Tiwari added, “Emotions are universal.” “If the audience connects with you emotionally, I think they will connect with the whole story. Emotions have powers to travel across boundaries,” he explained. Richard Gelfond, CEO of IMAX, believes that the film has the potential to become a worldwide blockbuster. “Judging from what we’ve seen, this has all the elements to be a global success,” Gelfond said in a recent chat with the LA Times. Ramayana Film Is ‘Important, Special’ Previously, in an exclusive chat with News18 Showsha, Kunal Kapoor reflected on the film’s importance and scale. Kunal, who plays Lord Indra in the film, told us, “This is a very important film in our cultural history. It’s a really important part of our cultural ethos. I think it’s important that you have filmmakers and people to give it the kind of scale it needs. This is mounted at a scale that we’ve never seen before.” He explained, “It is going to be something very special that deserves the kind of movie that the story should have. I am very excited about it. I think the audience is going to be surprised by what they see… It is going to be a spectacle on a scale that nobody has seen before. It will be very special. It’s up for release only late next year.” Ramayana: Cast, Release Date Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram and Sai Pallavi as Sita. While Yash plays the antagonist, Raavan, Sunny Deol will be seen as Lord Hanuman. The film will also feature Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi and Sheeba Chaddha as Manthara. Ravi Dubey will be seen as Lakshman, and Arun Govil will play King Dasharatha. As for the film’s release, Ranbir Kapoor and Nitesh Tiwari have locked Diwali 2026 and Diwali 2027 for Ramayana Part 1 and Ramayana Part 2, respectively. As per reports, the second part of the franchise will also be shot this year by October.