The much-anticipated two-part adaptation of the Ramayana, starring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, is set to hit theatres on Diwali in 2026 and 2027. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra, this ambitious take on the ancient Indian epic has sparked both excitement and scepticism among fans and critics alike. Malhotra, who has previously worked on major Hollywood projects like Dune and Inception, has emphasized his dedication to creating a “sacred and visually stunning adaptation” of the Ramayana.
Namit Malhotra shared his enthusiasm for the project in a statement, saying, “More than a decade ago, I embarked on a noble quest to bring this epic that has ruled billions of hearts for over 5000 years to the big screen. Today, I am thrilled to see it taking shape beautifully as our teams work tirelessly with only one purpose: to present the most authentic, sacred, and visually stunning adaptation of our history, our truth, and our culture – our ‘RAMAYANA’ – for people across the world.”
The first poster, revealed on Malhotra’s Instagram, displays a glowing golden arrow and reads, “Namit Malhotra’s Ramayana” alongside the release dates. Besides Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, the cast includes Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Raavan, Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi, Sunny Deol as Hanuman, and Sheeba Chaddha as Manthara. An earlier leaked photo showing Kapoor and Pallavi in costume sparked widespread discussion on social media about the film’s authenticity and visual style.
While the movie’s ambition has generated excitement, the legacy of recent adaptations looms large in fan conversations. The 2023 film Adipurush, which was also based on the Ramayana, was criticized for its poor screenplay, dialogue, and CGI, setting a cautious tone for audiences awaiting Tiwari’s rendition. Many fans are hopeful this adaptation will fare better, especially given the involvement of DNEG Studios, known for its work on films like Dune and Blade Runner 2049.
On X (formerly known as Twitter), one fan expressed their anticipation, writing, “Excitement for this is on another level. Hope they won’t disappoint.” Others, however, voiced concerns, with one user commenting, “Bollywood is a lost cause. They should start making good movies first rather than ruining these epics.” Another fan noted, “Hope they consider Ajay-Atul for music. Adipurush was trash, but they gave God-level music.” The hope for a fitting musical score is strong, as fans see this as an essential part of the film’s authenticity.
Discussions on Reddit highlight contrasting opinions, with some users seeing Malhotra’s background as a positive sign. “The producer Namit Malhotra is the CEO of DNEG Studios. So, there’s a lot of hope in terms of visual aspects,” one user commented. “It all depends on how the story and screenplay are handled.”
Yet, casting has emerged as a point of contention for some fans. A user remarked, “This movie(s) will never be completed and released. Ranbir is already nearly two decades older than Shri Rama was during the epic. It sounds terrible – probably just slightly better than Adipurush – which is not a compliment.” Another Redditor, however, defended the choice: “Ranbir’s age isn’t the main problem. What matters is how well the story is adapted, not the actor’s age. Dismissing the movie just because of one factor seems premature. After Adipurush’s disaster, the bar is low, but that doesn’t mean this will automatically be terrible. Let’s judge it when we actually see the result.”
With such a revered story as the Ramayana, fan expectations are soaring. While the announced casting and Malhotra’s involvement have generated excitement, comparisons to Adipurush serve as a reminder of the challenges facing Tiwari’s adaptation
The release of Ramayana across two Diwalis ensures that fans will have ample time to see how Tiwari and Kapoor’s rendition unfolds, as anticipation builds to see if this adaptation can successfully navigate the high bar set by its legendary source material.
