What to Expect from the Epic 'Ramayana' Trailer: A Cinematic Marvel Unveiled!

A Glimpse into the Grand 'Ramayana'

New Delhi: The highly anticipated trailer for Ramayana, which is being hailed as one of India's most lavish film productions, debuted on Thursday, promising an extraordinary cinematic experience that merges state-of-the-art visual effects with the timeless narrative of the battle between good and evil.

The four-minute preview begins with Ravana, portrayed by the renowned South Indian actor Yash, before transitioning to Ram, played by Ranbir Kapoor in what is considered his most ambitious role to date.

With a staggering budget of Rs 4,000 crore, this two-part epic is helmed by Nitesh Tiwari, known for his work on Dangal, and produced by Namit Malhotra's Prime Focus Studios in collaboration with the award-winning VFX company DNEG and Yash's Monster Mind Creations.

The trailer showcases Yash's Ravana as he battles to establish himself as one of the mightiest kings on Earth, followed by scenes of Dashrath, the ruler of Ayodhya.

Ranbir's Ram is introduced as a blindfolded archer honing his skills. He is soon declared the next king and wins the heart of Sita (Sai Pallavi) during a 'swayamvar', but the festivities take a dark turn when his stepmother Kaikeyi (Lara Dutta) insists on his 14-year exile.

The narrative then shifts to Ram, Lakshman (Ravie Dubey), and Sita's trials during their exile, where they encounter various monsters and confront Suparnakha, Ravana's sister, played by Rakul Preet Singh.

Following her clash with Lakshman, Ravana vows to take revenge by abducting Sita. The trailer concludes with Ram's declaration to defeat Ravana and rescue his wife.

Sunny Deol takes on the role of Hanuman, although he is not featured in the trailer. His appearance is expected either at the end of the first installment or in the sequel.

Ramayana: Part One is set for a worldwide release during Diwali 2026, with global distribution handled by Sony Pictures and North Indian distribution by Dharma Productions.

The cast also includes Ajinkya Deo as sage Vishwamitra and Kunal Kapoor as Lord Indra.

The screenplay is penned by Shridhar Raghavan, recognized for hits like Pathaan, War, and The Night Manager. The film's music is composed by the Oscar-winning duo A R Rahman and Hans Zimmer, celebrated for their contributions to major Hollywood films such as The Lion King, The Dark Knight Trilogy, Inception, Dunkirk, Interstellar, and the Dune series.

Malhotra expressed that the Ramayana is not merely an epic; it embodies the essence of how we live, celebrate, and impart values across generations. Festivals like Dussehra and Diwali serve as reminders of its enduring message that guides millions in the triumph of light over darkness and virtue over vice.

He emphasized that few stories maintain their relevance thousands of years after their inception, and the Ramayana is one of them.

Malhotra believes that India's most significant narratives deserve to be showcased on a global platform.

He stated, "Today, we finally have the artists, technology, craftsmanship, and collective ambition to present this extraordinary cultural legacy to audiences everywhere with the authenticity, scale, and cinematic excellence it deserves. This is not just the start of a film; it marks the beginning of a journey to celebrate India's cultural richness with the world. India has always lived this story, and it is now our privilege to share it globally."

Director Tiwari remarked that his duty was to approach the story with utmost sincerity. He considers it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to collaborate with some of the finest artists, technicians, and storytellers in the industry.

He added, "The Ramayana is one of the greatest tales ever told, not solely due to its scale, but because of the timeless values it embodies. As a filmmaker, I felt no need to make it universal; it already is. My task has been to treat it with complete honesty, authenticity, and reverence.

Every creative choice we made—from writing and performances to production design, music, visual effects, and every frame on screen—has been guided by a singular thought: to honor this extraordinary legacy with the dignity and respect it deserves while presenting it through the finest cinematic craftsmanship possible."

At a recent event in Delhi, Malhotra revealed that over 10,000 individuals from various parts of the world contributed to the film's production.