2026 has been a monumental year for fantasy on the big screen, with everything from stop-motion wonders to massive mythological epics. Now, India has entered the fray with Ramayana: Rise of a Legend, a staggering $430 million two-part adaptation of the ancient Sanskrit poem. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, this first installment introduces audiences to a young Prince Ram (Ranbir Kapoor) as he steps into his role as the seventh avatar of Vishnu, destined to confront the formidable King Ravana (Yash).
In an exclusive sneak peek, we see Ram's father, King Dasharatha (Arun Govil), approach the sage Vishvamitra (Ajinkya Deo) with an offer of his army. But the sage declines—he needs only one warrior: Ram. Though the king is puzzled, the sage sees something extraordinary in the young prince. The footage then cuts to a breathtaking sequence where Ram demonstrates his supernatural archery skills, leaving no doubt that he is no ordinary man. Vishvamitra envisions Ram not just as a warrior, but as a symbol of selflessness and courage for all humanity.
This vision sets the stage for Ram's journey, which begins after his marriage to Princess Sita (Sai Pallavi) and his subsequent exile. The film explores themes of love, duty, and destiny as Ram prepares for the inevitable confrontation with Ravana. It's a story that has resonated for millennia, and this adaptation aims to bring it to a global audience with all the spectacle it deserves.
India has been making waves internationally with hits like Baahubali and the Oscar-nominated RRR, but Ramayana is on another level entirely. It's the most expensive Indian film ever made and the priciest non-English feature in history. The production spared no expense, even bringing in legendary composer Hans Zimmer for his first Indian project. Critics have given it a 74% on Rotten Tomatoes, but audiences are embracing it with a Certified Fresh 94%.
The cast is a who's who of Indian cinema, including Ravi Dubey, Anupam Kher, Kajal Aggarwal, Rakul Preet Singh, Vivek Oberoi, and Kunal Kapoor, among many others. Ranbir Kapoor, who has starred in hits like Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva and Animal, likened the project to "nothing less than Lord of the Rings" in a recent interview. He sees it as a chance to share one of India's greatest stories with the world, packed with action, heart, and emotion that can rival any Western fantasy franchise.
"Well, it is the greatest epic to come from my country, India," Kapoor said. "Apart from the entertainment and every emotion that it will give you, there are a lot of life lessons that you can take from a film like Ramayana and the characters. I'm extremely excited that the West, the entire world, and the entire global audience will get to sample this story."
For those eager to see more, the exclusive sneak peek is available above. Ramayana: Rise of a Legend is now playing in theaters worldwide. If you're a fan of epic fantasy, this is a must-see. And for more on the film's box office performance, check out our analysis of its opening weekend numbers. Also, if you're looking for other fantasy recommendations, our list of top-rated fantasy books might be just what you need.
