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Namit Malhotra and Nitesh Tiwari’s two-part magnum opus Ramayana is poised to become the most expensive Indian film ever. After the grand reveal of its first look, the cinematic adaptation of the Indian Epic has captured global attention for its unmatched scale, star cast, and VFX vision. While reports suggest a budget exceeding Rs 4,000 crore.
'I'm not here to calculate the budget...'
Trade analyst Komal Nahata, speaking on Faridoon Shahryar’s podcast, recalled asking co-producer Namit Malhotra about the massive budget.
Nahata said, “I don’t know if it’s Rs 4,000 crore. I asked the same to Namit (Malhotra, co-producer), and he was visibly hurt that I asked that question. He said, ‘I’m not here to calculate the budget. I want to make Ramayana Part 1 and 2 out of shiddat (passion)."
Namit Malhotra Ready to Spend Three Times More!
Malhotra, the force behind Oscar-winning VFX giant DNEG (Inception, Interstellar, Dune), confirmed it will cost about Rs 4000 crore for both parts, far beyond any previous Indian production.
Revealing Malhotra’s unwavering mission with Ramayana, Nahata said, “He said it doesn’t matter if he spends even three times more, as long as the world sees India can tell such stories. He doesn’t even know where the money is coming from, he’s just pumping it in for a historical finished product.”
Further, he stressed the story’s cultural significance and said, “Ramayana and Mahabharata are the best stories ever. Every story is based on the Ramayana or the Mahabharata in some way or the other. This is the story of the Ramayana itself. How they’re making it will shake the world and cinema buffs."
Nahata credited DNEG’s pedigree for raising global expectations and said, "Now, Namit Malhotra’s company will deliver the vision and the means, the money. Namit has it. So, what was lacking, he’s got into Ramayana. Therefore, why will it not succeed?"
Malhotra is no passive investor; he’s actively shaping the film creatively. Among his boldest plans is releasing it in 30-50 languages, Indian and international, using AI-powered voice localisation to reach unprecedented audiences.
Ramayana
The cast includes Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman, Yash (also a co-producer) as Demon King Ravana and Ravi Dubey as Lakshman. Music legends AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer will score the film. While Ramayana: Part 1 is slated for Diwali 2026, Part 2 will release in Diwali 2027.
