'Ramayana': Ranbir Kapoor’s look as Lord Rama out, Nitesh Tiwari says film took 7 years to make
Mumbai (PTI): Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor's first look as Lord Rama from producer Namit Malhotra's "Ramayana", one of the most ambitious cinematic events in the history of Indian cinema, was unveiled on Thursday.
The makers released a two-minute-38-second teaser titled 'Rama' on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti, offering audiences their first glimpse into Lord Rama's world, from the battlefields to the grand palaces and dense forests, with Kapoor donning royal robes adorned with heavy gold jewellery as the king and warrior of Ayodhya.
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, best known for "Dangal" and "Chhichhore", the film has been seven years in the making.
"To reach till this moment, it has personally taken me seven years. Filmmaking is a speculative and lonely process. Every moment of these seven years, I've imagined this moment as to what the reaction would be when it comes out.
"Today, looking at your reaction, I feel the seven years are worth those seven years. A lot of people have worked on this film. We hope we get much love from you all," Tiwari said at a promotional event.
The filmmaker said he was aware of the audience's emotional attachment with “Ramayana” and added that the team has tried to be as “authentic” as possible.
“...You understand the sensitivity and attachment (for ‘Ramayana’), you keep those things in mind. We’ve taken care in portraying Lord Rama, it’s very authentic is what I feel,” the director said.
The film also features “KGF” star Yash as Ravana, Sai Pallavi as Goddess Sita, Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman and Ravie Dubey as Lord Lakshman.
"Ramayana" is produced by Namit Malhotra's Prime Focus Studios and DNEG, in association with Yash's Monster Mind Creations.
A two-part live-action saga rooted in one of Indian mythology's most enduring epics, the film draws on the full might of DNEG, one of the world's leading visual effects studios, with eight Academy Awards for films including "Inception", "Interstellar", "Dune" and "Dune: Part Two".
Malhotra, who is the CEO of DNEG, described it as a “special moment”.
“We’ve made this (film) with a lot of love. Before you let it go, there’s a feeling of wanting to keep it, and we are like, ‘Are we ready to share it?’ Thanks to Nitesh and the team who have worked hard to put this labour of love.
"I’m proud of what we’ve put out. I hope you all have loved it. You don’t pick ‘Ramayana’, ‘Ramayana’ picks you,” said Malhotra.
He said the aim behind the movie is to introduce the story of the mythological epic and Lord Rama to the world.
“There are Indians all over the world. We should not be divisive that’s where we go wrong on ‘Ramayana’... It’s one world, one ‘Ramayana’ and one Rama. The idea is to show it to the entire world," he added.
The team had earlier held a grand event in Los Angeles that was attended by Malhotra, Tiwari and Kapoor.
Asked about the reason for holding an event in the US, Malhotra said, “The Indians in the America are thanking and appreciating, you need to understand the emotion of the Indian people over there.”
While post-production is underway for part one of “Ramayana”, Malhotra said filming for part two is already in progress, largely taking place indoors due to the heavy use of visual effects.
In a statement, Kapoor said the experience has been humbling.
"I don't think I'm here to represent Rama. I'm here to learn from him. There is a simplicity and purity to him that is very rare; and trying to understand and imbibe that has been a deeply humbling experience," the actor said.
The first part of “Ramayana” is slated to release worldwide in IMAX during Diwali 2026, with part two following in Diwali 2027.
The film’s crew includes renowned international artists, including Oscar-winning composers Hans Zimmer and A R Rahman, who are collaborating on the score.
The action sequences are choreographed by Hollywood stunt veterans Terry Notary and Guy Norris, and the film’s visual world is being shaped by production designers Ravi Bansal of “Dune: Part Two” fame and Ramsey Avery as “Captain America”.
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Hubballi: Gym trainer assaulted; police say clash due to personal reasons
Hubballi: A gym trainer was allegedly assaulted by a group of people following accusations of sexual assault and ‘love jihad’, even as both families involved in the case traded serious allegations.
According to police, a group of individuals went to the residence of Sameer Mulla, a resident of Vijayanagar, and questioned him over his friendship with a woman he had met at a gym. The situation escalated into a clash, during which he was allegedly dragged away and assaulted. He sustained minor injuries and was admitted to KIMS hospital.
N. Shashikumar said that after this incident, members from Sameer’s side went to the woman’s house, leading to another clash in which one person was injured. “It was wrong for groups to go near houses. We will take necessary legal action,” he said, adding that the incident appears to have arisen from personal reasons. Police have taken some individuals into custody and are investigating the matter.
Sameer Mulla was reportedly thrashed by a group of Sangh Parivar activists and later handed over to police at the Old Hubballi Police Station after relatives of the woman and members of Hindu organisations gathered at his residence in Rajnagar.
The woman’s family alleged assault and threats from Sameer’s relatives at their Vikas Nagar residence.
Meanwhile, Sameer’s family denied the allegations and accused the woman’s relatives and others of assaulting and kidnapping him. His sister said the two had been in a relationship for three years and that the allegations were baseless.
Police said statements from both sides have been recorded, and a detailed investigation is underway. Sameer remains hospitalised, and appropriate legal action will be taken based on findings.
In a video statement shared on social media, the 20-year-old woman alleged that Sameer had given her an intoxicant, recorded videos without her consent, and sexually assaulted her. She lodged a complaint alleging rape and blackmail, which police are investigating.
In another video, Sameer denied the allegations, claiming the video was recorded with consent and that the accusations were made under pressure.
Former Hubballi-Dharwad Urban Development Authority (HDUDA) chairman Nagesh Kalburgi termed the incident a serious matter and urged police to take strict action.
Police said the case involves multiple complaints from both sides, and further investigation is underway.
