All about Ramayana's grand opening scene: Ravana-Kubera's epic battle
Ramayana is set to begin on an unexpected note, shifting focus away from the familiar Rama–Ravana face-off. Instead, the film's opening draws from a lesser-known episode that could redefine how audiences see Ravana's rise and ambition.
Ramayana's opening sequence is believed to be one of its defining moments. As per the information shared by the team behind Namit Malhotra’s film, the film’s opening war sequence will not centre on Rama (Ranbir Kapoor) and Ravana (Yash). Instead, it will draw from an earlier and lesser-known chapter of the epic: Ravana's fierce confrontation with his half-brother Kubera near Mount Kailash.
The sequence was teased in the film's first glimpse, released earlier this month. While it stood out for its scale, the battle is rooted in the Ramayana's account of Ravana's rise, setting up the story before Rama’s journey begins.
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the film is backed by Namit Malhotra. The opening sequence is being positioned as a key moment in the film’s narrative.
The Ravana-Kubera story
In this part of the epic, Ravana takes Lanka after overthrowing his half-brother Kubera, the original ruler of the golden city. But the conflict does not end there. Driven by ambition and the need to establish complete dominance, Ravana pursues Kubera to Alakapuri near the sacred Mount Kailash. The pursuit is presented not simply as a chase, but as Ravana’s attempt to remove any remaining challenge to his power.
The episode brings together mythology, conflict and a striking setting, with the battle unfolding against the backdrop of Mount Kailash. It also shifts the focus to Ravana before the central narrative around Rama begins.
That also gives Ravana a broader arc within the story, presenting him not only as the antagonist in Rama’s journey but also as a figure shaped by conquest and ambition.
Ramayana is being made as a two-part epic. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Malhotra's Prime Focus Studios in association with 8-time Oscar-winning DNEG and Yash's Monster Mind Creations, it will release in IMAX worldwide, with Part 1 scheduled for Diwali 2026 and Part 2 for Diwali 2027.
The film stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as goddess Sita, Ravie Dubey as Lakshmana, Yash as Ravana and Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman. With the opening sequence drawing from Ravana's clash with Kubera, the film places early focus on a lesser-known part of the epic.
Ramayana's opening sequence is believed to be one of its defining moments. As per the information shared by the team behind Namit Malhotra’s film, the film’s opening war sequence will not centre on Rama (Ranbir Kapoor) and Ravana (Yash). Instead, it will draw from an earlier and lesser-known chapter of the epic: Ravana's fierce confrontation with his half-brother Kubera near Mount Kailash.
The sequence was teased in the film's first glimpse, released earlier this month. While it stood out for its scale, the battle is rooted in the Ramayana's account of Ravana's rise, setting up the story before Rama’s journey begins.
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the film is backed by Namit Malhotra. The opening sequence is being positioned as a key moment in the film’s narrative.
The Ravana-Kubera story
In this part of the epic, Ravana takes Lanka after overthrowing his half-brother Kubera, the original ruler of the golden city. But the conflict does not end there. Driven by ambition and the need to establish complete dominance, Ravana pursues Kubera to Alakapuri near the sacred Mount Kailash. The pursuit is presented not simply as a chase, but as Ravana’s attempt to remove any remaining challenge to his power.
The episode brings together mythology, conflict and a striking setting, with the battle unfolding against the backdrop of Mount Kailash. It also shifts the focus to Ravana before the central narrative around Rama begins.
That also gives Ravana a broader arc within the story, presenting him not only as the antagonist in Rama’s journey but also as a figure shaped by conquest and ambition.
Ramayana is being made as a two-part epic. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Malhotra's Prime Focus Studios in association with 8-time Oscar-winning DNEG and Yash's Monster Mind Creations, it will release in IMAX worldwide, with Part 1 scheduled for Diwali 2026 and Part 2 for Diwali 2027.
The film stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as goddess Sita, Ravie Dubey as Lakshmana, Yash as Ravana and Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman. With the opening sequence drawing from Ravana's clash with Kubera, the film places early focus on a lesser-known part of the epic.
