Get ready for a cinematic event of mythic proportions. In an exclusive interview, producer Namit Malhotra pulled back the curtain on the monumental 2026 film Ramayana, revealing a production designed for global audiences and a soundtrack crafted by two of the world's most celebrated composers. Malhotra, the CEO of Oscar-winning VFX powerhouse DNEG, is spearheading what he describes as a project on par with the world's biggest film franchises.
The film, directed by Nitesh Tiwari and starring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, is being shot natively for IMAX to bring the ancient Indian epic to life with unprecedented scale. But beyond the visuals, Malhotra emphasized the film's emotional core and its foundational place in global storytelling. "Ramayana actually precedes a lot of these global IP and global epics," he explained, noting that modern classics like Avatar and The Lord of the Rings share a narrative DNA with this ancient tale. In fact, the very word "avatar" originates from the Sanskrit concept embodied by Rama himself.
A Musical Collaboration for the Ages
One of the most groundbreaking revelations is the film's score. Malhotra has assembled a dream team of composers: Academy Award winners Hans Zimmer (Dune, The Lion King) and A.R. Rahman (Slumdog Millionaire). Describing their early work on the soundtrack, Malhotra was visibly moved, stating the music brought him to tears. This fusion of Zimmer's monumental orchestral style with Rahman's soulful and spiritually resonant compositions promises a soundtrack as epic as the story itself. For fans of iconic film scores, this partnership is shaping up to be one of cinematic excellence.
Malhotra is adamant that Ramayana is not just an Indian film, but a global production. "It's fair to say that we are shoulder to shoulder with anything out there," he stated, addressing comparisons directly. The story follows Prince Rama, his wife Sita (Sai Pallavi), and brother Lakshman (Ravie Dubey) as Rama's destiny to confront the demon king Ravana (Yash) unfolds, a clash that will decide the fate of both heaven and earth.
Balancing Spectacle with Heart
A key challenge for any epic is balancing massive action with intimate character moments. Malhotra revealed that the source material makes this balance inherent. "The spectacle and the story and the characters are actually written into the Ramayana," he said. The film won't follow a standard three-act structure but will weave its breathtaking battles and emotional journeys throughout, ensuring audiences connect with the characters amidst the grandeur. This approach aims to deliver the kind of experience found in inevitable blockbusters that dominate both the box office and cultural conversation.
For audiences unfamiliar with the epic, Malhotra has an enticing pitch: "You're actually going to witness the story that has given birth to a lot of stories that you may actually know." He calls it the "OG" of major storytelling, a timeless narrative of duty, love, and cosmic war that has inspired countless tales for millennia.
The producer also confirmed the film will be released in two parts, with production on the second installment already underway. He promised the runtime would not be a "two-hour hit-and-run," allowing the epic narrative the space it deserves to unfold fully on the biggest possible screen.
With its all-star cast, legendary composers, cutting-edge visual effects from DNEG, and a story that is the bedrock of so much modern mythology, Ramayana is positioning itself as more than a movie—it's aiming to be a definitive cinematic experience for a worldwide audience. As the project continues, fans can look forward to more updates on this colossal undertaking, which shares the ambitious spirit of other major franchise expansions, much like the recent major 'Lord of the Rings' casting news that has excited fantasy fans.
