Ramayana on the Big Screen: How Indian Mythology is Going Global

During the early 2000s in India, many of us remember the serials Ramayan and Siya Ke Ram – ancient stories were adapted for the television sets in the homes of everyday folk. These shows were cultural landmarks in their time. It was announced that Nitesh Tiwari would be revisiting the Ramayana, this time with a production scale that India has yet to witness.

His casting choices further claim this project is already turning heads, the first part set to feature some of the biggest names in Indian cinema. Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Yash as Ravana. Other prominent actors in supporting roles include Sunny Deol as Hanuman, Ravi Dubey as Lakshman, and Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi. 21st century audiences would be delighted at the casting of Arun Govil, who played Ram in the iconic 1980s television series. He will now play Dashrath, blending nostalgia with star power.

A.R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer are now onboard to score the film, which adds global appeal, and is a collaboration most didn't expect. Ramayana is being produced with next-gen VFX, IMAX cinematography and AI multi-language dubbing on a staggering combined budget of ₹4,000 crore (close to $500 million). This officially makes it the most expensive Indian film to date.

The story will unfold in two parts with the first scheduled for Diwali 2026 and the second for Diwali 2027. The festive timing for this release is intentional to capitalize on a period of heightened national sentiment and cultural bonding.

However, this ambition goes beyond India alone. As per reports, the film's producers are negotiating with a prominent Hollywood studio for international distribution, wanting to take this uniquely Indian tale to the world. With Ramayana, Indian cinema is attempting something unusual: turning a religious epic into a cultural export like The Lord of the Rings and Dune.

Needless to say, a production of this magnitude carries enormous expectations—and risk. The budget alone exceeds that of Baahubali, RRR, or Adipurush. Even the highest box office earners in India could not hope to make ₹4,000 crores just through domestic viewership. This means that the film will need to be viewed favorably outside of India, as well as in marketing and receive positive criticism.

The most recent teaser trailer put out by Sony Music India has gained more than 16 million views within two weeks. This shows that there is significant interest. But hype and interest on the internet does not always lead to actual purchases. It remains to be seen if the final cut can meet expectations or if it will fall victim to the controversy that surrounded previous adaptations.

This film goes beyond just being a cinematic venture; it is a cultural declaration as well. Ram is treated as not just a character, but a divine figure by many Indians. His tale showcases elements of faith and moral philosophy. Regardless of whether or not one accepts his divinity, Rama’s journey is seen as a pathway to self-discipline, love, loyalty, and duty.

The stakes are also raised by that emotional bond. Every artistic choice, including those related to script, costumes, and casting, will inevitably be closely examined. Nonetheless, recognition of the enormity of the endeavor is growing. Indian cinema appears prepared to give mythology the depth, richness, and grandeur it so richly deserves after decades of reserving it for devotional dramas.

It's simple to have doubts about a movie that costs ₹4,000 crore. However, Ramayana may be the only Indian tale that merits that degree of emotional, cultural, and cinematic investment.

Ultimately, there is just one question left: is it possible for this movie to deliver more quality than controversy?

By Jishnu Mukherjee