Ramayana Part 1 first look unveiled: Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Yash starrer epic film's first glimpse out, watch

The grand reveal has sent fans into a frenzy, offering the first taste of what promises to be one of Indian cinema’s most ambitious mythological adaptations.

In a landmark moment for Indian cinema and global storytelling, the creators behind the highly anticipated Ramayana unveiled the epic universe with the global launch of Ramayana: The Introduction on July 3, 2025.

The two-part live-action epic is being planned on a scale comparable to the largest Hollywood tentpoles ever made, and it is being hailed as one of the most ambitious film projects to come out of India.

With fan screenings in nine Indian cities and a spectacular billboard takeover in Times Square, New York, the premiere of Ramayana: The Introduction was nothing short of a world-wide spectacle. The occasion set the stage for the enduring conflict between Rama and Ravana and signalled the start of a lavish cinematic adaptation of one of India's most revered epics.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The World Of Ramayana (@worldoframayana)

The project, which is directed by Namit Malhotra and co-produced by Yash, a pan-Indian superstar, has assembled an impressive cast of Oscar-winning technicians, well-known Hollywood producers, and the best actors in India. It seeks to provide a cutting-edge, globally accessible cinematic universe with roots in Indian mythology.

The narrative takes place in a timeless era in which the cosmic trinity—Brahma the Creator, Vishnu, and the Protector, and Shiva the Destroyer. This harmony among gods, sages, mortals, and demons is disrupted when a demon child rises from the ashes and transforms into Ravana — the most feared and indestructible king in existence. With his sole purpose being the destruction of Vishnu, whom he sees as an eternal adversary of his kind, Ravana’s ambition threatens the order of creation.

To counter this, Vishnu takes a mortal form — that of Rama, a prince born without divine powers — to face Ravana in an epic battle of Light versus Darkness. Thus begins Ramayana — a tale of cosmic war, eternal destiny, and the enduring triumph of good over evil, a narrative that continues to shape the cultural and spiritual fabric of over a billion people to this day.

Also read: Revisiting Ramanand Sagar’s iconic Ramayan as Ranbir Kapoor’s Ramayana Part 1 first look unveiled

Ramayana boasts a stellar ensemble led by Ranbir Kapoor as Rama, a fourth-generation icon of Indian cinema. Yash, who commands a massive pan-India fanbase and also serves as co-producer, takes on the powerful role of Ravana. Sai Pallavi brings her natural grace to the role of Sita, while action star Sunny Deol is cast as the mighty Hanuman. The film also features Ravie Dubey in a refreshing new avatar as Lakshman, Rama’s devoted brother.

Speaking about the film, Namit Malhotra said, “This is a cultural movement for every Indian around the world. With Ramayana, we’re not just retelling history; we’re introducing our legacy to the world. Bringing together the finest global talent allows us to tell this story with authenticity, emotion, and state-of-the-art cinematic innovation. We’ve seen Ramayana portrayed before — but this version reimagines its landscapes, creatures, and battles with the scale and splendour they deserve. As Indians, this is our truth. Now, it will be our gift to the world.”

Also read: Fans trend #RAVANARAGEBEGINS ahead of Yash's first glimpse in Ramayana: Part One 1

Director Nitesh Tiwari echoed the same vision, stating, “Ramayana is a story we’ve all grown up with. It carries the soul of our culture. Our aim was to honour that soul — and present it with the cinematic scale it truly deserves. As a filmmaker, it’s both a huge responsibility and a heartfelt honour to bring it to life. It’s a tale that has endured across millennia because it speaks to something deep and eternal within us. We are not simply making a film. We are offering a vision — one rooted in reverence, shaped by excellence, and made to transcend borders.”

Filmed for IMAX and directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana promises a visual experience unlike anything seen in Indian cinema before. It is produced by DNEG, an eight-time Oscar-winning VFX powerhouse, and Namit Malhotra's Prime Focus Studios in collaboration with Yash's Monster Mind Creations. The movie will be released globally with Part 1 hitting theatres during Diwali 2026 and Part 2 following in Diwali 2027.