Ranbir interviews Nitesh Tiwari, talks Ramayana's 'intimidating' world-building
Filmmaker Nitesh Tiwari has opened up about feeling intimidated while taking on Ranbir Kapoor's Ramayana. Here's what the director said about the pressure, responsibility and scale of the ambitious film.
Director Nitesh Tiwari has revealed that he felt “intimidated, challenged and inspired” when he was first offered Ramayana, starring Ranbir Kapoor. The filmmaker admitted that adapting a story as culturally significant as the Ramayana came with what he described as a “lot of moral responsibility”.
The filmmaker’s remarks resurfaced after producer Namit Malhotra shared a snippet of a conversation between Tiwari and Ranbir Kapoor on the director’s birthday. The video quickly drew attention online, with fans revisiting Tiwari’s candid comments about the scale and pressure attached to the ambitious mythological epic.
Why did Nitesh Tiwari find Ramayana intimidating?
During the conversation, Tiwari opened up about his initial reaction to the project and explained why the film felt overwhelming at first.
“Intimidating, challenging, inspiring — all at the same time,” the director said while describing his feelings after being approached for the film. He added that telling a story like the Ramayana carries “a considerable moral obligation”, making the experience both daunting and rewarding.
Watch the video here:
Tiwari also credited Namit Malhotra and VFX studio DNEG for bringing him on board the project. According to the filmmaker, despite the pressure associated with adapting one of India’s most revered epics, the journey has turned into “an incredible experience”.
What did Namit Malhotra say about the director?
In his birthday note for Tiwari, Malhotra praised the filmmaker’s calm approach and storytelling abilities. He described working with the director as “one of the best experiences” of his life and appreciated the way Tiwari handled the scale of the project with “clarity” and “grace”.
The producer also expressed confidence in Tiwari’s vision of bringing “the greatest story of our country” to global audiences.
When will Ramayana release?
Ramayana Part 1 stars Ranbir Kapoor alongside Sai Pallavi, Yash, Sunny Deol and Ravie Dubey. The film is scheduled for a Diwali 2026 release.
Earlier, Namit Malhotra had revealed that the combined budget for both parts of the film would exceed $500 million, which is estimated to be over Rs 4,000 crore. The producer had said that many people initially believed the project’s scale was impossible for Indian cinema.
With anticipation surrounding the film continuing to grow, Tiwari’s comments have once again highlighted the pressure and responsibility behind bringing the epic tale to the big screen.
Director Nitesh Tiwari has revealed that he felt “intimidated, challenged and inspired” when he was first offered Ramayana, starring Ranbir Kapoor. The filmmaker admitted that adapting a story as culturally significant as the Ramayana came with what he described as a “lot of moral responsibility”.
The filmmaker’s remarks resurfaced after producer Namit Malhotra shared a snippet of a conversation between Tiwari and Ranbir Kapoor on the director’s birthday. The video quickly drew attention online, with fans revisiting Tiwari’s candid comments about the scale and pressure attached to the ambitious mythological epic.
Why did Nitesh Tiwari find Ramayana intimidating?
During the conversation, Tiwari opened up about his initial reaction to the project and explained why the film felt overwhelming at first.
“Intimidating, challenging, inspiring — all at the same time,” the director said while describing his feelings after being approached for the film. He added that telling a story like the Ramayana carries “a considerable moral obligation”, making the experience both daunting and rewarding.
Watch the video here:
Tiwari also credited Namit Malhotra and VFX studio DNEG for bringing him on board the project. According to the filmmaker, despite the pressure associated with adapting one of India’s most revered epics, the journey has turned into “an incredible experience”.
What did Namit Malhotra say about the director?
In his birthday note for Tiwari, Malhotra praised the filmmaker’s calm approach and storytelling abilities. He described working with the director as “one of the best experiences” of his life and appreciated the way Tiwari handled the scale of the project with “clarity” and “grace”.
The producer also expressed confidence in Tiwari’s vision of bringing “the greatest story of our country” to global audiences.
When will Ramayana release?
Ramayana Part 1 stars Ranbir Kapoor alongside Sai Pallavi, Yash, Sunny Deol and Ravie Dubey. The film is scheduled for a Diwali 2026 release.
Earlier, Namit Malhotra had revealed that the combined budget for both parts of the film would exceed $500 million, which is estimated to be over Rs 4,000 crore. The producer had said that many people initially believed the project’s scale was impossible for Indian cinema.
With anticipation surrounding the film continuing to grow, Tiwari’s comments have once again highlighted the pressure and responsibility behind bringing the epic tale to the big screen.
