Key Points
- Character posters may release on Ram Navami, March 27, 2026
- Ranbir Kapoor plays Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana
- Sunny Deol cast as Hanuman, Ravi Dubey as Lakshman
- Film divided into two parts, Part 1 targeting Diwali 2026 release
- Post-production and VFX work prioritized for mythological grandeur
- Ranbir Kapoor also starring in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s “Love and War”
Director Nitesh Tiwari has assembled one of Bollywood’s most impressive ensembles for this mythological epic. Ranbir Kapoor undergoes intense physical transformation to portray Lord Ram, training in archery and Sanskrit diction for authenticity. Sai Pallavi, making her Hindi cinema debut as Sita, has reportedly learned classical dance forms and spent months studying Valmiki’s Ramayana to capture the character’s grace and strength.
Kannada superstar Yash, fresh from his KGF success, plays the antagonist Ravana, a role requiring extensive prosthetics and voice modulation. Sunny Deol’s casting as Hanuman has generated maximum buzz, with the actor bulking up significantly and working with motion capture technology for the vanara warrior’s supernatural abilities. Television actor Ravi Dubey steps into Lakshman’s shoes, while Kajal Aggarwal portrays Mandodari and Rakul Preet Singh takes on the complex role of Surpanakha.
Veteran actor Arun Govil, who famously played Ram in the 1987 television series, joins the cast in a pivotal role, reportedly as Guru Vashishtha, adding meta-textual depth to the adaptation. Kunal Kapoor and Indira Krishnan round out the supporting cast in significant mythological roles.
Production Timeline and Technical Ambitions
The first installment’s principal photography concluded in December 2025 after 180 days of shooting across multiple locations including Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Sri Lanka. The production team is now focused on completing post-production by summer 2026, with special emphasis on VFX to recreate Ayodhya, Lanka, and the epic battle sequences. The makers have engaged international VFX studios from New Zealand and the US, allocating a reported ₹300 crore budget for visual effects alone.
The decision to split the epic into two parts allows for detailed character development and faithful adaptation of the seven kandas. Part 1 will cover Ram’s birth, exile, Sita’s abduction, and the build-up to war, while Part 2 will focus on the Lanka battle, Ram’s victory, and the uttar kanda. This two-part structure ensures each character receives adequate screen time without compromising the narrative’s mythological depth.
Release Strategy and Marketing Campaign
While Ram Navami poster release remains unconfirmed, the marketing team plans an extensive 8-month promotional campaign leading to Diwali 2026. The strategy includes character introductions, behind-the-scenes content, and a mythological education series on digital platforms. The film targets a pan-India release in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam, with dubbed versions in international markets.
The Diwali 2026 release positions “Ramayana” as the year’s biggest cinematic event, competing directly with other major productions. The second part is already in pre-production, with filming scheduled to begin in late 2026 for a Diwali 2027 release, maintaining the franchise’s momentum.
Ranbir Kapoor’s Upcoming Projects
Beyond “Ramayana,” Ranbir Kapoor prepares for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s “Love and War,” where he stars alongside wife Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal. This marks Ranbir’s reunion with Vicky after “Sanju” and with Alia after “Brahmastra.” The film, a romantic drama set against historical conflict, begins filming in March 2026. Industry insiders suggest Ranbir has blocked his dates through 2028, balancing mythological epics with contemporary dramas, cementing his position as Bollywood’s most versatile leading man.
The actor’s commitment to “Ramayana” includes a no-other-projects clause during the two-part filming schedule, demonstrating his dedication to the mythological franchise that could define his career legacy.
