Ramayana Teaser highlights: Ranbir Kapoor wins the internet as Lord Rama
Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana is an ambitious two-part cinematic saga that seeks to bring India’s most revered epic to the global stage with unprecedented scale. Produced by Namit Malhotra and DNEG, the film features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Yash as the formidable Ravana. To ensure a truly world-class experience, the project marks a historic musical collaboration between Academy Award winner AR Rahman and legendary composer Hans Zimmer.
The film has generated immense buzz following an exclusive "first glimpse" screening in Los Angeles, where early viewers compared its visual grandeur to The Lord of the Rings. This initial teaser, titled 'Rama', focuses on the divine grace and emotional depth of the titular character, specifically highlighting a poignant moment of Ram on a boat. The production utilises cutting-edge performance capture and VFX to recreate the ancient world with a level of detail never before seen in Indian cinema.
Planned as a massive global event, the first instalment is scheduled for a theatrical release during Diwali 2026, with the second part following in 2027. By choosing to reveal the official first look today, on the auspicious occasion of Hanuman Jayanti, the makers aim to honour the deep spiritual connection and cultural heritage that the story represents for billions of people worldwide.
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Ashish Chanchalani defends Ramayana teaser
Influencer Ashish Chanchalani has backed the teaser of Ramayana after a section of the audience criticised it online. Commenting on director Nitesh Tiwari, Ashish wrote, "Abbe yaar acha toh hai zabardasti ka kyun hate de rahe ho. Aane toh do movie ko (Come on, it actually looks good. Why are you forcing the hate? Just let the movie come out first (sic)."
Ramayana teaser: Adipurush trends again
Amid all the buzz about the Ramayana teaser, Om Raut's Adipurush is trending again. The reason? Fans flooding X with parody memes and comparisons between the two.
Social media is filled with memes and parody content that juxtapose scenes from Adipurush with those expected from Ramayana, often highlighting perceived flaws in Adipurush's VFX, cinematography and performances.
Ramayana teaser: Fan re-imagines Hrithik Roshan as Lord Rama
A fan used AI to generate an image of Hrithik Roshan as Lord Rama
Indian actors as Lord Ram 🧵 #Ramayana
— Prayag (@theprayagtiwari) April 2, 2026
(1) Hritik Roshan pic.twitter.com/2CgQGeKt7k
Karan Johar, Siddharth Anand and others react to Ramayana teaser
Several celebrities have expressed their admiration for the teaser of Ramayana, starring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama. The teaser was released on Thursday to mark the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti.
Filmmaker Karan Johar shared on Instagram to share his excitement, writing that he cannot wait to watch the film. “Ranbir Kapoor embodies Lord Rama with divine reverence and piousness… his last turn on hearing his name was the pièce de résistance of this spectacular first look (sic),†he said.
Read the full story here.
AR Rahman on Ramayana music: Hans Zimmer is Jewish, I am Muslim, story is Hindu
Composer-singer A R Rahman has spoken about his collaboration with Hans Zimmer for Ramayana, while also reflecting on his respect for the values and ideas rooted in Hindu mysticism. He shared how Indian epics formed a key part of his upbringing, noting that the “heart of the epic lies in its moral coreâ€.
In an interview with the BBC Asian Network, Rahman said, “I studied in a Brahmin school, and every year we had Ramayana and Mahabharata, so I know the story.†He added that, for him, the essence of the epic lies in its emphasis on virtue and higher ideals. “People may argue, but I value all those good things—anything positive you can learn from,†he said.
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Resul Pookutty recalls AR Rahman's 3.30 am call to introduce Hans Zimmer
The trio is currently collaborating on Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana, which stars Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, and Yash.
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AR Rahman explains how he added Sanskrit words to Ramayana track with Hans Zimmer
Rahman and Zimmer, both celebrated in their respective domains, have completed only a handful of joint sessions so far, but remain focused on crafting a musical vision that resonates with a global audience.
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Shot Dhurandhar, Ramayana back-to-back with Ranveer, Ranbir: Actor Abhay Arora
Actor Abhay Arora, who played Yasir in Dhurandhar, revealed that he had landed a role in Ramayana even before the Ranveer Singh-starrer released and went on to become a major two-part success. In an exclusive interview, Abhay opened up about juggling both projects simultaneously.
He described his demanding schedule, sharing that he would shoot Dhurandhar in Bangkok and then report for Ramayana the very next morning alongside Ranbir Kapoor. The debutant praised both actors for their professionalism and warmth, underlining the value of working with such individuals.
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Ramayana Part 2 shoot begins as VFX-heavy work on Part 1 moves full steam ahead
The makers of Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana have begun shooting for Part 2 of the film. India Today has learnt that the team has been filming indoors for some time now, signalling steady progress on the ambitious franchise.
The update comes shortly after the makers unveiled the first look of Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama on Thursday, coinciding with Hanuman Jayanti.
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Ajinkya Deo says Ramayana co-star Ranbir Kapoor has 'payaas' aura
“RK (Ranbir Kapoor) is playing Ram, and you’re asking me to test for Dasharath?†he had laughed at the time, unsure about taking on the responsibility of portraying Kapoor’s on-screen father. “As an actor, somewhere you hesitate,†he admitted, adding, “Dasharath is iconic, of course, but you do feel that shift.â€
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Ramayana teaser: Ajinkya Deo on why Yash's Raavan in Ramayana breaks the mould
Actor Ajinkya Deo, last seen in 120 Bahadur, is optimistic about his upcoming project, Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana. Currently busy with the shoot, he spoke about his experience on set, noting that sharing screen space with Yash has been one of the most fascinating aspects of the film.
Yash plays Raavan in the Tiwari directorial, which also stars Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi as Ram and Sita, respectively.
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Arun Govil says no comparison between Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana and Adipurush
Arun Govil, who became a household name for his portrayal of Lord Ram in Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan, has weighed in on the ongoing comparisons between Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana and Adipurush, which underperformed at the box office. The epic, which holds deep cultural significance in India, is now being reimagined for the big screen with a fresh cast and contemporary production values.
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Ramayana 2: Ranbir Kapoor begins shoot in Mumbai, Sunny Deol to join soon
Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi’s Ramayana is easily one of the most anticipated films of the year. Set for a Diwali release, the Nitesh Tiwari-directed magnum opus has been split into two parts. While the first instalment is gearing up for its theatrical debut, India Today has learnt that work on the second part is already underway, with filming having begun in Mumbai.
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Ramayana Movie: Why Sai Pallavi's big Bollywood debut took 10 years to arrive
In Indian cinema, it has long been a familiar pattern for actors to establish themselves in their home industries before branching out into other languages and markets. For decades, however, the transition into Hindi cinema proved far from easy for actors from the South. A few rare exceptions managed to break through—most notably Sridevi, whose journey from regional cinema to Bollywood superstardom remains one of the most remarkable crossovers in the industry’s history. But such success stories were few and far between.
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Ramayana First Glimpse: Part I first cut screened in Los Angeles 9 months before release
A rough cut of Ramayana: Part I, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, was screened for a select audience in Los Angeles on Monday, offering an early glimpse of the much-anticipated epic ahead of its planned Diwali release. The screening was held at the Cinemark Playa Vista theatre, with attendees ranging in age from 18 to 60.
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Ramayana Movie: Producer promises global spectacle on par with Hollywood for Ranbir's film
Producer Namita Malhotra has shared insights into the scale and vision of Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana. Malhotra said the upcoming epic drama, starring Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi, has “everything that the biggest Hollywood spectacles have.â€
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Ramayana teaser: Fans call Ranbir Kapoor ‘a living legend’, say teaser is next level
The first glimpse of Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana is finally here—and it’s nothing short of a spectacle. The internet is in awe of the teaser, released on the auspicious occasion of Hanuman Jayanti. While several social media users have hailed Ranbir Kapoor’s portrayal of Lord Rama as a standout, others expressed disappointment over Yash’s blink-and-miss appearance as the menacing Ravana.
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Ramayana teaser: Filmmaker Karan Johar praises Ranbir Kapoor
Filmmaker Karan Johar shared his reaction to the teaser of Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana Johar wrote on Instagram, "CANNOT WAIT!!! Ranbir Kapoor embodies Lord Rama with divine reverence and piousness...his last turn on hearing his name was the piece de resistance of this spectacular first look....."
Ramayana Movie: Who plays Kumbhkaran?
According to a report by Hindustan Times, actor Faisal Malik—widely recognised as Prahlad Cha from Panchayat—has been cast as Kumbhakaran, the brother of Ravan, played by Yash. Malik has reportedly already completed the first schedule of filming for the project, which is expected to arrive in cinemas this Diwali.
Read the full report here.