Nitesh Tiwari talks about making Ramayana:  "Want to excite the world about Indian storytelling..."

Nitesh Tiwari on helming Ramayana

Ranbir Kapoor and Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana is being promoted as the most expensive Indian film ever made, although details about its budget are yet to be confirmed. Regardless, the filmmakers are pulling out all the stops to ensure the film delivers an extraordinary cinematic experience. Namit Malhotra, the head of the VFX studio DNEG, has joined as one of the film’s producers and sees the project as a potential game-changer for Indian cinema. In a recent interview, Malhotra shared his vision for the film, expressing his hope that it will have a significant global impact.

Having won seven Oscars for Best Visual Effects, including for films like Interstellar and Dune, Malhotra is no stranger to creating cinematic magic.

In an interview with HT, when asked if Ramayana has the potential to achieve something similar for Indian cinema, Malhotra replies, “I do not doubt that it does (have the potential). In fact, it's down to us and how we can actually bring it to the world. And that is where there's a massive responsibility in doing that.”

The comparison to iconic global films is inevitable, and Malhotra recognizes the importance of this moment for Indian cinema.

While there have been previous adaptations of the Ramayana, such as the recent Adipurush, which was critically panned and failed at the box office, Malhotra emphasizes that the team understands the gravity of the task.

"That's why we're trying to be very careful and cautious, that we do it with the utmost care and with the utmost sensitivity. Because, right, you know, this opportunity does not come again and again, and it's the moment for India right now."

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Malhotra believes this is India’s chance to showcase its rich storytelling to the world. He says, “I’m keen to not just make India proud but excite the world about Indian storytelling and really celebrate global cinema together." While acknowledging Hollywood’s success with films like Oppenheimer and Forrest Gump, he firmly believes Ramayana has the potential to resonate globally: “Their stories are universal. I believe this is universal too."

The film, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Yash as Ravana. Other notable cast members include Ravi Dubey, Lara Dutta, Sheeba Chaddha, and Arun Govil. Ramayana is set to release in two parts, in 2026 and 2027, marking a significant milestone in the journey of Indian cinema.