One of the most revered texts of Indian mythology has gotten a spectacular cinematic reimagining just in time for Diwali!
Ramayana: Rise of a Legend breathes new life into the ancient Indian classic: the timeless tale of Rama, a prince whose path is defined by profound sacrifice, and his inevitable clash with Ravana, a vengeful and immortal king.
To bring this Indian story to the global stage, a formidable trinity of Indian cinema's biggest stars have assembled including Bollywood royalty Ranbir Kapoor, a titan of the Hindi film industry known for his transformative performances in massive hits like Sanju and Animal, takes on the mantle of Lord Rama. He is joined by Pan-Indian megastar Yash, who recently shattered box-office records with the action-packed K.G.F franchise, as Ravana, and the critically acclaimed Sai Pallavi, who is beloved across South Indian cinema.
The ambitious scale of this mythological epic is matched only by the pedigree of its creative team. Spearheaded by acclaimed producer Namit Malhotra, the visionary behind DNEG, the Oscar-winning visual effects studio renowned for its work on Dune, Interstellar, Inception, and The Odyssey. The film is directed by Nitesh Tiwari, whose blockbuster Dangal remains the highest-grossing Indian film worldwide. And adding to the film's immense cinematic weight is a groundbreaking collaborative score by Academy Award winning legends Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman.
Sarina Bellissimo recently sat down with the visionary producer and the stellar cast to discuss the monumental task of bringing the oldest story in the universe to the big screen. The sheer scale, ambition, and emotional weight of the project reveal a film that is not just meant to be watched, but experienced.
A Decade-Long Dream Realized
For producer Namit Malhotra, bringing this ancient epic to cinemas has been a labor of love spanning nearly ten years. Releasing the film to the global public carries a heavy emotional weight for the filmmaker. “It's a surreal moment for me because it's almost like you've seen this little child of yours grow up and sort of going into the world,” Malhotra told Bellissimo. He compared the feeling to a parent watching their children leave home, noting that the production team has been building the film with so much “love and care and oversight” that they are almost hard-pressed to finally let it go.
Audiences are in for a groundbreaking visual treat. Malhotra promised a cinematic experience that will bridge the gap between ancient mythology and modern technology. “We are bringing something that is so original… that has this timeless value of being the oldest epic of the world that was ever written to a world that is going to discover it for the first time,”he explained. Even for audiences in India who hold deep historical and sensitive connections to the story, Malhotra guarantees they will be seeing it through a brand new lens, presented on a grand scale in IMAX 3D with thousands of visual effects shots.
When it comes to financing such a colossal endeavor, Malhotra admitted that the budget goes far beyond a standard Indian film, and is even bigger than the average Hollywood tentpole. Yet, despite the massive financial backing, he joked that filmmakers never feel they have quite enough for their vision: “I don't think filmmaking is ever done with your size of ambition never really meets your pocket”.
Scoring the Ultimate Epic
To match the visual grandeur of Ramayana, Malhotra knew he needed an equally monumental score. In what he described as a massive "fanboy"moment, Malhotra managed to unite two legendary composers: A.R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer. Having grown up obsessed with Rahman’s music as a teenager in India, and having collaborated extensively with Zimmer on landmark visual effects films like Interstellar, Dunkirk, and Dune through his company DNEG, Malhotra saw an opportunity to bring the two together.
Malhotra confessed that he expected Zimmer to decline the offer, going into his pitch assuming it would be “the longest ‘no’ for him”. Instead, Zimmer gave him the quickest “yes”. Within ten minutes of their conversation, Zimmer agreed to the project, drawn to the idea of exploring something incredibly original yet timelessly relevant. Zimmer told Malhotra that when a story has existed for thousands of years and remains relevant, it is not their place to judge or question it, but rather to "understand it and see what best we can do".
The Weight of Playing Gods and Kings
Stepping into the roles of these universally revered figures was a daunting task for the cast. Ranbir Kapoor, who takes on the mantle of Lord Rama, admitted to Bellissimo that his very first instinct was to reject the role. “I didn't have belief and faith in myself that if I would be able to pull this off,” Kapoor revealed, expressing fears that his personal and professional baggage might go against the reverence people hold for Lord Rama.
However, Kapoor quickly realized this was an “opportunity of a lifetime” that could profoundly impact his own life. He threw his entire being into the role, striving to understand Rama’s humanity, vulnerability, compassion, and forgiveness. “I take so much from this experience, more than I could service the film, I think it really serviced my life,” he said. This spiritual journey coincided beautifully with Kapoor becoming a father; he shared that he hopes to bring the same "child-like curiosity and sincerity" to the role that he sees in his four-year-old daughter, who is incredibly excited to watch the film!
Opposite Kapoor is Yash, stepping into the formidable shoes of the villain, Ravana. Rather than viewing the antagonist as simply a "bad person," Yash found profound life lessons in playing the immortal king. He was fascinated by how someone possessing such immense knowledge, dedication, and determination could go so drastically wrong. For Yash, Ravana represents a cautionary tale about emotional control and the dangers of unchecked power. “When you have so much power, are you still vulnerable, are you still getting carried away with certain unnecessary egos or vengeance?” Yash asked, reflecting on how easily ambition can corrupt.
Meanwhile, Sai Pallavi spoke to the incredibly grounding experience of releasing the film to the masses. She noted that during production, she was simply focused on playing her part and staying present in the moment. Now that the film is finally reaching audiences, she described the reactions as “very humbling and overwhelming”. When asked about the potential for sequels or character spinoffs, Pallavi remained open to the endless possibilities of the epic’s universe, saying she would be “thrilled” and “happy” if creative minds wanted to expand on these characters in the future.
With its staggering visuals, legendary musical collaborations, and a cast deeply dedicated to honoring the emotional core of this ancient narrative, Ramayana: Rise of a Legend promises to be a defining cinematic event and it's in cinemas now.
