Unveiling the Grand Scale of Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana: Rise of a Legend

A New Era in Indian Cinema

The ambitious two-part film series, Ramayana: Rise of a Legend, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, is setting unprecedented standards in Indian filmmaking. With an astounding budget of Rs 4,000 crore, the project emphasizes the use of physical sets and detailed props rather than relying heavily on green screens. The construction phase commenced in April 2024 at Prime Focus Studios located in Mumbai’s Film City, where the team dedicated months to the careful design and assembly of over 150 unique sets to vividly portray this mythological saga.

Attention to Detail in Set Design

Art director Romesh highlighted the extensive design process, noting that each structure underwent numerous revisions—often between 10 to 15—before receiving final approval. This dedication to authenticity is showcased in the creation of significant props, such as Ravana’s throne, which took four months to craft. Made with a fiber structure and a clay base, the throne is adorned with 24-karat gold leafing and is valued at around Rs 1 crore. Additionally, a functional chariot for Surpanakha was constructed over three months at a cost of approximately Rs 1.5 crore.

The Splendor of Lanka

Crafting the Opulence of Lanka

The visual splendor extends to the characters' accessories, with the creative team at House of Amraali focusing on the legendary opulence of Lanka. Creative head Tarang Aurora explained that the jewelry was designed to reflect the kingdom’s fabled golden wealth while remaining practical for the actors. Ravana’s chest plate, for instance, was entirely handcrafted and lined with soft materials to ensure comfort during long filming hours. The jewelry designs incorporate snake motifs to signify the character’s devotion to Lord Shiva, utilizing a color palette of deep blues, blacks, and greens paired with metallic gold finishes.

Logistical Mastery and Technical Precision

Technical Precision and Large-Scale Logistics

In addition to the jewelry and throne, the production team created massive props to enhance performance and scale. A 24-foot tall model of Jatayu was constructed to help actors maintain natural eyelines during dialogue delivery, while a 50-foot diameter Pushpaka Vimana was built in four separate modules over 50 days. The logistical effort was immense, often involving 500 to 600 workers on the Lanka set simultaneously, with some crowd sequences requiring up to 1,000 artists. Director Nitesh Tiwari maintained rigorous oversight, personally inspecting sets and reviewing storyboards to ensure the final output matched his vision for the epic.