The much-anticipated first glimpse of Nitesh Tiwari's ‘Ramayana: Part One’ continues to trend across social media and dominate online conversations. Amid the growing anticipation, producer Namit Malhotra has revealed some interesting details about the project's massive budget.
Namit Malhotra, who serves as founder and non-executive director of Prime Focus Limited, a leading Indian visual and special effects company, recently spoke with Prakhar Gupta about the budget, journey, and vision behind this ambitious project.
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Ramayana Budget Revealed: $500 Million Budget
Malhotra disclosed the staggering financial commitment behind the two-part epic. "So, when we set out to make it, six, seven years ago, just after the pandemic, when we started to get serious about mounting it and producing it, and budget-wise, it was like everybody thought I'm a lunatic. Because no Indian film, by a long distance, comes close to it. So, to put it simply, it'll be about $500 million by the time we're done, on both films put together, part one and part two, which is over Rs 4,000 crore," he revealed.
This massive budget places ‘Ramayana’ among the most expensive films ever made globally, surpassing many Hollywood blockbusters in terms of financial investment.
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Despite industry scepticism over the scale of spending, Malhotra insists the project remains both financially responsible and creatively necessary. He addressed critics who question the enormous budget allocation for an Indian production.
"So, I say it like this: we're making the largest film in the world for the greatest story, the greatest epic, that the world should see. And I still think it's cheaper than what it costs to make some of the biggest Hollywood films. So I think we're making a bigger film at a lower cost. Because that Indian in me still believes that we're not being irresponsible financially. We're not being irresponsible with money," Malhotra explained.
The producer acknowledged that the industry might view him as irresponsible, but he firmly believes the investment is justified given the project's cultural significance and global potential.
Cultural Pride Powers the Vision Behind ‘Ramayana’
For Malhotra, Ramayana represents more than just a film; it's a way to honour India's foundational cultural values and share them with the world. His passion for the project stems from deep cultural pride and a desire to showcase Indian heritage on a global stage.
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"I'm taking the greatest belief system of our country. We're taking something that we have pride in. It's a foundational piece of our culture. And I'm going to mount it and present it in the grandest form possible. And it's going to cost whatever it costs. Why is that a risk? When I think about Ramayana, I'm like, is it really a risk? All I'm doing is, I have to just make sure we do justice to people's expectations, and beyond. There has to be pride that must come through, in every Indian first, and then every other person in the world, to say: that's a great piece of culture," he stated.
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Global Relevance of ‘Ramayana’ in Today’s Times
Malhotra believes the ‘Ramayana's teachings hold particular relevance in today's global climate. He drew connections between current world events and the timeless wisdom found in the ancient epic.
"I genuinely think the relevance of Ramayana today in the world, not just India, is massive. Look at the wars in the West. Look at the way the countries are operating. I've lived in America. I've lived in the UK. I've hesitated to send my kids abroad to study," he shared.
The producer also expressed his growing confidence in India's cultural foundation compared to Western societies. "My kids are growing up in Mumbai today. They're going to Indian schools. I want them to study in India. Not because I don't believe in the Western education system, but because I genuinely have greater faith and confidence in India today. And I'm making those decisions. And I'm making that commitment. So I'm like, there's something we're doing right. The West has sort of lost its way a little bit. And nothing like our culture to really help give that grounding and anchor. We're not trying to provide sermons to the world. But what we're saying is: Hey, we've learned a lot from you. Take something from us."
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Director Nitesh Tiwari Shares Cultural Mission
Director Nitesh Tiwari echoed similar sentiments at the official first glimpse launch earlier this month. He expressed that his intention with Ramayana is to evoke pride in India's ancient culture and heritage, creating a film that honours the epic's spiritual and cultural significance.
‘Ramayana’ Star-Studded Cast and Release Timeline
‘Ramayana’ will be released in two parts, with Part One scheduled for Diwali 2026 and Part Two for Diwali 2027. The film features an impressive cast with Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram and Yash as Ravan. Sai Pallavi plays Sita, Ravi Dubey takes on Lakshman, and Sunny Deol portrays Hanuman.
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Ramayana Budget Comparison with Hollywood Blockbusters
‘Ramayana: Part One's production budget equals that of major Hollywood films such as ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ and ‘Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3’. The investment is higher than the $225 million spent on the new Superman film and also exceeds the $180 million budget for ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’.
The massive investment in ‘Ramayana’ signals a new era for Indian cinema, where filmmakers are willing to make unprecedented financial commitments to bring culturally significant stories to global audiences with the highest production standards.
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