MUMBAI, Oct 12: The makers of Ramayana: Part One, starring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama and Yash as Ravana, have confirmed that the highly anticipated film will release worldwide on November 5, 2026, bringing clarity to speculation surrounding the project’s theatrical arrival.
The announcement was made on October 11 through the film’s official social media platform, alongside a new poster featuring the principal cast. The production team also confirmed that advance ticket bookings would open on Dussehra, October 20.
The release announcement came during Navratri, a festival associated with devotion and the celebration of the victory of good over evil. The makers used the occasion to begin a fresh phase of the film’s promotional campaign, describing the project as the beginning of a new era in cinematic storytelling.
The newly released poster features Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Ravie Dubey as Lakshman and Yash as Ravana. The presentation brings together the central characters of the epic and offers audiences another look at the principal cast ahead of the film’s theatrical release.
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra, Ramayana: Part One is planned as the first instalment of a two-part cinematic adaptation. The second film is scheduled to arrive during Diwali 2027.
The announcement resolves uncertainty created by differing reports about the release schedule. Earlier promotional information had indicated November 6 for the international release, while other reports had discussed a possible domestic release around Diwali. The latest statement from the makers confirms November 5 as the worldwide theatrical date.
The production is among the most closely watched Indian film projects of the year, owing to the popularity of its cast, the cultural importance of its source material and the scale of its cinematic ambitions.
The Ramayana is one of the most widely recognised epics in Indian tradition. Its story centres on Rama’s exile, the abduction of Sita by Ravana, the search for her and the eventual conflict between Rama’s forces and the kingdom of Lanka. Themes of duty, loyalty, sacrifice, courage and the struggle between good and evil have shaped countless literary, theatrical, musical and screen adaptations.
Bringing the epic to a contemporary film audience presents both creative opportunities and significant responsibilities. The production must translate a familiar narrative into a cinematic format while meeting the expectations of viewers who have encountered different versions of the story through religious traditions, regional literature, television serials and earlier films.
Kapoor’s casting as Rama places him in a role associated with an important figure in Indian cultural consciousness. Known for performances across romantic dramas, coming-of-age films and intense character-driven stories, the actor faces the challenge of presenting a character whose defining qualities include restraint, moral conviction and a sense of duty.
Sai Pallavi plays Sita, a central figure whose experiences are essential to the epic’s emotional and narrative development. Her casting brings a performer known for work in several Indian-language film industries into one of the year’s major Hindi-led productions.
Yash, who gained nationwide recognition through the K.G.F. films, takes on the role of Ravana. The character is a formidable antagonist whose portrayal requires a balance between power, ambition and the complexities associated with his place in the epic. The actor’s participation has added to the project’s visibility among audiences familiar with his earlier action-oriented performances.
Ravie Dubey appears as Lakshman, Rama’s brother and a loyal companion throughout the narrative. Sunny Deol has been cast as Hanuman, another pivotal character whose courage, devotion and strength are central to the story.
The ensemble also includes actors portraying members of the royal family and other significant figures. The production brings together performers from different backgrounds, reflecting the film’s attempt to appeal to audiences across India and international markets.
The makers have positioned the project as a large-scale theatrical experience. It is scheduled to be released in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam, allowing the story to reach viewers across multiple linguistic regions.
The film is also planned for premium exhibition formats, including IMAX. Such screenings are intended to provide audiences with an expansive presentation of the production’s visual and sound design.
The project is being produced by Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios in collaboration with DNEG and Yash’s Monster Mind Creations. Sony Pictures is handling international distribution outside India, while Dharma Productions is involved in distribution in the Hindi-speaking market.
The scale of the production has generated considerable discussion in the entertainment industry. Large-budget Indian films increasingly seek international audiences, using multilingual releases, premium cinema formats and extensive promotional campaigns to build anticipation before opening weekend.
For Ramayana: Part One, the challenge will be to convert the strong public interest surrounding its cast and subject into sustained audience engagement after release. Its performance will depend not only on advance bookings but also on the completed film, audience response, reviews and competition from other theatrical releases.
The opening of advance bookings on October 20 is expected to provide an early indication of audience demand. Ticket sales can offer useful insight into interest across cities and cinema formats, although the overall commercial performance will become clearer only after the film reaches theatres.
The two-part structure also gives the filmmakers an opportunity to develop the larger narrative across separate releases. The first instalment will introduce the principal characters and establish the story’s central conflicts, while the second is scheduled to continue the cinematic adaptation in 2027.
A project of this nature must also appeal to viewers with different expectations. Some audiences may approach the film through familiarity with the epic, while others may be drawn primarily by the cast, filmmaking team or visual presentation. Maintaining narrative clarity and emotional depth will be important in connecting these groups.
The production’s multilingual plans are particularly significant because the Ramayana has a long history of interpretation across Indian regions. Different communities have preserved and retold versions of the epic through distinctive artistic traditions. A nationwide release offers the film an opportunity to engage with that diversity while presenting a unified cinematic narrative.
The makers’ latest announcement places November 5 firmly on the calendar for audiences awaiting the first instalment. With the release date confirmed and advance bookings set to begin on Dussehra, the promotional campaign is entering a decisive stage.
As the theatrical launch approaches, attention will increasingly turn towards further promotional material, the film’s final presentation and the response from audiences. For the cast and production team, the release represents a major opportunity to bring one of India’s best-known epic narratives to cinemas on an international scale.
The worldwide opening on November 5 will mark the first public test of the project’s cinematic vision. Its reception will determine how successfully this new adaptation connects an ancient story with contemporary moviegoers while setting the stage for the planned second instalment in 2027.