'Ramayana' will set new 'benchmark' for Indian cinema, promises producer
What's the story
Namit Malhotra, the producer of the much-anticipated Bollywood film Ramayana, believes the movie will set a new "benchmark" for Indian cinema.
In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Malhotra stressed the film's global importance, saying, "Ramayana belongs to the world - no one person or entity owns it. That's what makes it so powerful."
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the film features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram and Sai Pallavi as Sita.
Yash plays the demon king Ravana.
Global vision
Malhotra's vision for 'Ramayana'
Malhotra, an Oscar-winning VFX master and CEO of Double Negative (DNEG), also shared his vision for the film.
He said, "Since everyone has their own interpretation, the challenge is to tell the story in a way that feels familiar yet very groundbreaking."
"It's about setting a new benchmark for Indian cinema. We don't want to make excuses about budgets or limitations."
Epic adaptation
Malhotra's commitment to bringing 'Ramayana' to life
Malhotra also spoke about the visuals of Ramayana, saying, "When you read the Ramayana, you don't get to see its full scale, the epic landscapes, creatures and characters."
He continued, "We are leveraging everything we've learned, all the technology and artistry...to bring it to life in the grandest way possible."
"I often say that after 30 years in the industry, I finally feel ready to make Ramayana because we now have the expertise, experience and technology to do it justice."
Release details
'Ramayana' to be released in 2 parts
The much-anticipated Ramayana movie will be released in two parts, with the first part expected on Diwali 2026 and the second a year later on Diwali 2027.
This was decided to ensure that the film's epic scale and intricate details are fully realized on screen.
Sunny Deol and Lara Dutta are also a part of the ensemble.