Ranbir Kapoor-Yash starrer Ramayana is like Avatar meets Gladiator in the world of The Lord of the Rings, says producer Namit Malhotra
The first trailer of Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana: Part 1 has finally been unveiled, giving audiences a glimpse of one of Indian cinema’s most ambitious mythological epics. While the four-minute trailer has been praised for its grand visuals, large-scale action sequences and Hollywood-level VFX, producer Namit Malhotra has now revealed the global vision behind the film.In a recent conversation with Fandom, Malhotra compared Ramayana to three of Hollywood’s biggest franchises – Avatar, Gladiator and The Lord of the Rings.
Namit Malhotra compares Ramayana to Hollywood blockbusters
Explaining how he wants international audiences to connect with the story, Malhotra said the emotions at the heart of Ramayana are universal.”Ramayana is like Avatar meets Gladiator in the world of Lord of the Rings, like if you can put that together. Lord Vishnu, who is the protector of all life, has to come as an avatar to bring balance and restore life back. It’s the oldest epic known to man for over 5,000 years,” he said.He further explained that the story follows a god who chooses to live as a human to understand human emotions before fulfilling his divine purpose.”So God descends as a human and goes through his life in a human form to really understand how humans feel, ultimately to fulfil their duty. Then it’s mounted in the back of this massive spectacle woven into the fabric of the screenplay,” Malhotra added. According to the producer, these themes of duty, sacrifice and compassion transcend cultures, making the story relatable even for audiences unfamiliar with the Indian epic.
Nitesh Tiwari says the film is more than just a visual spectacle
Director Nitesh Tiwari said Ramayana will focus as much on the emotional journeys of its characters as on its grand visual scale.He described the film as a story of sacrifice, revenge, love and resilience, adding that while audiences can expect world-class visuals, the emotional storytelling remains at the heart of the project.Tiwari also said the film aims not only to entertain but to leave viewers with meaningful thoughts long after they leave the theatre.
What the Ramayana trailer reveals
Released globally on July 30 during the auspicious Brahma Muhurat, the four-minute-and-nine-second trailer opens with Yash’s Ravana emerging from the shadows before declaring his dominance over the three realms.As darkness spreads, Lord Vishnu is reborn as Prince Rama, played by Ranbir Kapoor. The trailer then showcases the grandeur of Ayodhya, Rama’s wedding to Sita (Sai Pallavi), and the emotional moment when Rama accepts his 14-year exile alongside Lakshmana, portrayed by Ravie Dubey.The trailer also teases several iconic moments from the epic, including Shurpanakha’s confrontation, Sita’s abduction, and the massive war between Rama and Ravana featuring enormous battlefields, mythical creatures and elaborate action sequences.It concludes with Rama’s powerful declaration: “If Ravana is the ruler of three realms, then all three realms shall witness his death.”
Hollywood-scale visuals and music
One of the biggest talking points from the trailer has been its visual effects, created by Academy Award-winning VFX studio DNEG. The footage showcases expansive views of Lanka, majestic palaces and large-scale battle sequences rendered with Hollywood-style CGI.The music is another highlight, bringing together Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer and legendary Indian composer AR Rahman. Their score blends orchestral grandeur with Indian spiritual influences, adding emotional weight to the visuals.
Cast and release date
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra, Ramayana stars Ranbir Kapoor as Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Hanuman and Ravie Dubey as Lakshmana.Planned as a two-part saga, Ramayana: Part 1 is scheduled to release during Diwali 2026, while Ramayana: Part 2 is slated to arrive in Diwali 2027. Go to Source
