Mumbai: The cinematic adaptation of the Indian epic "Ramayana", helmed by visionary filmmaker Namit Malhotra, revealed its first look on Thursday across nine major cities of India, simultaneously accompanied by a striking billboard takeover at New York's iconic Time Square, marking the global launch of what promises to be an epic cinematic universe.
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the film is being produced by Namit Malhotra's Prime Focus Studios and eight-time Oscar-winning VFX studio DNEG, in collaboration with Yash's Monster Mind Creations. This film is designed specifically for large-format exhibition such as IMAX, to bring unprecedented scale to the screen.
Scheduled as a two-part theatrical event, "Ramayana" will release worldwide with Part One launching in Diwali 2026 and Part Two Diwali 2027.
The Times Square digital activation created an international buzz, further cementing the project's global scale and cultural gravitas.
Namit Malhotra, producer, filmmaker, founder of Prime Focus, and CEO of DNEG, shares, "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."
Nitesh Tiwari shares, "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 border," he said.
