Ramayana Brings Hans Zimmer and A. R. Rahman Together for an Indian Epic

The biggest Indian production ever is almost here. Ramayana: Part 1, Nitesh Tiwari’s adaptation of the ancient Sanskrit epic, opens worldwide on November 6, with Sony Pictures handling the international rollout and IMAX screens on board.

Both parts together cost around $420 million. The film is produced by Namit Malhotra, the executive behind VFX house DNEG, and by Yash, who also plays the demon king Ravana.

The story

Part 1 covers Prince Rama’s youth: his training under the sage Vishvamitra, the contest in which he strings the divine bow and wins Sita, and the palace intrigue that sends him into 14 years of exile with Sita and his brother Lakshman. It ends as Ravana lures Rama away with a golden deer and carries Sita off.

The cast

• Ranbir Kapoor as Rama;
• Sai Pallavi as Sita;
• Yash as Ravana;
• Sunny Deol as Hanuman;
• Ravi Dubey as Lakshman;
• Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi;
• Arun Govil as Dasharatha;
• Rakul Preet Singh, Kajal Agarwal, Vivek Oberoi and Kunal Kapoor.

Govil played Rama himself in the landmark 1987 TV series, making his casting as the king a nod to longtime fans.

The production

Shot at Mumbai’s Film City between April 2024 and July 2025 under the codename God Power, the film was written by Tiwari and Shridhar Raghavan. DNEG delivered the effects, with Terry Notary and Guy Norris overseeing action. Hans Zimmer makes his true Bollywood debut alongside A. R. Rahman on the score.

Part 2 went before cameras in March 2026, and the trailer for Part 1 made its splash at San Diego Comic-Con in July.

Release

Ramayana: Part 1 opens November 6.