Nitesh Tiwari’s ambitious adaptation of Ramayana is gearing up for some thrilling developments as the film moves into its next phase of production. Set to hit theatres by 2026, the epic is already creating waves with its star-studded cast, including Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Yash as Ravana, and Sunny Deol as Hanuman. Filming began in March 2024, and by mid-2025, the film will see key sequences shot between these heavyweights.
According to reports, Ranbir Kapoor has already completed 90% of his scenes, with only a few pivotal moments left to shoot, including those with Yash and Sunny Deol. Yash, who will portray the formidable Ravana, is slated to begin filming his portions in December 2024 after wrapping up his current project, Toxic, directed by Geethu Mohandas. Sunny Deol, on the other hand, will join the epic as Hanuman in the summer of 2025 after finishing Border 2. The much-anticipated announcement video for the film is also in the works, building excitement among fans.
A source close to the production shared insights with Pinkvilla, revealing that Yash has undergone extensive look tests to perfect his appearance as Ravana. "Yash is excited to take on one of the most complex characters from the Ramayana and will start shooting in December after completing Toxic," the source said. Meanwhile, Sunny Deol has committed bulk dates to the project, much like Ranbir Kapoor, ensuring a seamless schedule for Ramayana after his commitments to Border 2 are fulfilled.
Ranbir, who portrays the revered Lord Ram, has been filming diligently, with sets built at Film City in Mumbai, including elaborate setups in Josh Maidan and Helipad. The actor has wrapped up most of his scenes and is expected to shoot alongside Yash and Sunny Deol later in the schedule. “Ranbir allotted a significant chunk of his time for Ramayana, and the production team, led by Nitesh Tiwari and Namit Malhotra, managed to finish ahead of schedule,” added the source.
Joining this ensemble cast is Sai Pallavi, who will be portraying Sita, while veteran actor Arun Govil, who became synonymous with Lord Ram in Ramanand Sagar’s classic Ramayan, will take on the role of King Dasharatha. Lara Dutta is also part of the cast as Kaikeyi. Reports have also hinted at Kunal Kapoor being a part of the stellar lineup, though the details of his role remain under wraps.
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In previous interviews, it was revealed that Ramayana is being produced on a massive budget of Rs 835 crore (approximately $100 million), making it one of the most expensive films in Indian cinema. A source told Bollywood Hungama, “Ramayana is not just a film; it’s an emotion. The makers are sparing no expense to turn it into a global spectacle. The Rs 835 crore budget is just for Ramayana: Part One, with plans to expand further as the franchise grows. The vision is to create a visual masterpiece with Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram.”
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The source also highlighted that the film will require at least 600 days of post-production work, a testament to the scale of the project. The team aims to elevate Indian cinema to an international level with this grand retelling of the ancient epic. While the official release date is yet to be confirmed, Ramayana is expected to hit theatres in 2026, and fans can hardly wait to witness the spectacle unfold.
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