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- 'Ramayana' teaser live updates: Ranbir Kapoor, Nitesh Tiwari and Namit Malhotra launch grand ‘Rama’ teaser on Hanuman Jayanti
'Ramayana' teaser live updates: Ranbir Kapoor, Nitesh Tiwari and Namit Malhotra launch grand ‘Rama’ teaser on Hanuman Jayanti
The team, comprising of director Nitesh Tiwari, actor Ranbir Kapoor and producer Namit Malhotra, announced on March 31 that the teaser launch was selected as it holds special significance, coinciding with the auspicious festival of Hanuman Jayanti.
Ranbir and director Tiwari are expected to attend the launch, where they will present the teaser to a select audience before releasing it officially online for global viewers. The Rama glimpse is expected to offer the first official look at Kapoor as Lord Rama, a role he has described as 'deeply transformative' and 'rooted in emotional, spiritual and physical preparation'.
Early reactions from private screenings in the US and Mumbai have already hinted at the scale and ambition of the project, with viewers calling it a “visual wonder” and praising its use of modern technology to retell the ancient epic for a new generation.
Ranbir's wife, actress Alia Bhatt, also hailed the teaser as 'Out of this world!"
The teaser’s runtime of over two minutes is expected to provide a detailed introduction to the character, visual design and narrative approach, rather than a brief promotional cut.
The film, positioned as a two-part mythological epic to release on Diwali 2026 and Diwali 2027, also stars Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana.
Stay tuned to this ETimes blog for all the live updates from the teaser trailer release, photos, quotes from the film's team and more.
During the teaser launch, producer Namit Malhotra shared that around 10,000 people contributed to bringing the grand film to life and expressed his heartfelt gratitude to each one of them.
Sunny Deol is currently occupied with other film commitments and has significant portions left to shoot for Ramayana, Asia Net News. His character reportedly plays a much larger role in the franchise’s second part compared to the first.
"Dhurandhar now Ramayana....the kind of indian cinema we want????????????????????...hoping for a cinematic spectacle," read a comment on YouTube.
“The music could have been better. I have my doubts about Rahman giving his best,” read a comment on Instagram.
A fan reacts on Instagram, “Mixed feelings! Underwhelming! Expected better! I remember your conversation with sadhguru, one of the best, expected that more than the VFX which looks cartoonish and this again makes the world believe that it was just a imaginary story. Could be more philosophically focused and grounded”.
“More money spent on this than Avatar and the worlds just looks disappointing,” read a comment.
Director Nitesh Tiwari spoke about the long process of making 'Ramayana'. As quoted by PTI, he said, "To reach till this moment, it has personally taken me seven years. Filmmaking is a speculative and lonely process. Every moment of these seven years, I've imagined this moment as to what the reaction would be when it comes out." He added, "Today, looking at your reaction, I feel the seven years are worth those seven years. A lot of people have worked on this film. We hope we get much love from you all."
With a stellar cast and grand vision, 'Ramayana' is set to be one of the most ambitious projects in Indian cinema. The strong early response to the teaser shows audiences are eager for a respectful retelling of the epic.
The teaser marks a significant moment for audiences worldwide. It brings into focus a figure whose story has endured for over 5,000 years.
Ranbir Kapoor was spotted in Bandra with director Nitesh Tiwari and producer Namit Malhotra on April 1. This was just one day before the teaser release. He had recently returned from Los Angeles where the teaser was unveiled at special screenings.
Ranbir Kapoor revealed he had initially rejected the role. He said, "I remember when Namit offered me this part around 4 years ago, my instant reaction was ‘No’, I’m not fit enough, not good enough, and I won’t be able to do full justice." He explained that becoming a father changed his perspective.
The much-anticipated teaser, which introduces Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, debuted amid much fan frenzy. Soon after its release, fans flooded social media with positive reactions.
Beyond showcasing Kapoor as Lord Rama, the teaser features large-scale action sequences, including battles involving creatures, giants and demons. These visuals prompted some viewers to compare the film to the Hollywood Oscar-winning 'The Lord of the Rings' franchise and its spin-off 'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power', both known for their depiction of mythical beings and other such creatures of Middle Earth.
Prior to these comparisons, producer Namit Malhotra acknowledged the global influences behind the film at the New York event. “I would tell people, ''Ramayana' is set in the wold of 'Lord of the Rings' and it's an 'Avatar' meets 'Gladiator''. That is said in one line, but if you think about it, it is 'The Lord of the Rings' scale, then you've got 'Avatar' creatures and the world with the humanity and emotion of a 'Gladiator',” he said.
Producer Namit Malhotra shared his thoughts on the story. He said, "The power of Rama's story is not in what he conquers, but in what he lets go of. He represents a standard that is not easy, not convenient; but necessary." The film seeks to present the epic on a global scale.
Director Nitesh Tiwari explained the emotional core of the story. He said in a statement, "Ramayana's greatness lies in its emotional richness. At its heart, it is not just about good and evil, but about choices, consequences, and the weight of doing what is right." The film aims to stay true to the human journey of Rama.
The film features Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Hanuman, and Ravie Dubey as Lakshman. Other actors include Arun Govil, Kunal Kapoor, Adinath Kothare, Sheeba Chaddha, and Indira Krishnan. The project marks a historic music collaboration between AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer. Hollywood stunt directors Terry Notary and Guy Norris are choreographing the epic battles. The film is being shot for IMAX.
The teaser has received a lot of love from viewers. One wrote, "Even the Avengers will vow to Lord Rama." Another one commented, "May Lord Hanuman bless you with wisdom, strength, and fearlessness. Happy Hanuman Jayanti." Another one commented, "This is world class. Theatre mein Pooja hoga is bar." Another one wrote, "Imagine if they teased Mahabharata in post credit of Ramayana Part II." Another one wrote, "After Adipurush, we needed this healing. THIS is how you respect and represent our history." Another one wrote, "Tight slap to those who were saying Ranbir can't do justice to this role."
Ranbir Kapoor spoke about the responsibility of playing Lord Ram. He said, "I don't think I'm here to represent Rama. I'm here to learn from him. There is a simplicity and purity to him that is very rare; and trying to understand and imbibe that has been a deeply humbling experience." He also revealed he initially rejected the role four years ago, saying he felt he was not fit enough. Becoming a father to Raha changed his perspective.
Sunny Deol, cast as Hanuman, does not appear in the first teaser. According to reports, he has only shot a 15-minute cameo for Part 1. His major portions are expected in Part 2, which focuses more on the later events of the epic. Sunny is set to begin shooting for the second part in April. This explains his absence from the initial glimpse.
After months of buzz and anticipation, fans have finally been treated to the first glimpse of Ranbir Kapoor as Maryada Purushottam Rama in 'Ramayana.'
The makers unveiled a special teaser on Thursday, introducing Ranbir as Lord Rama.
The teaser for 'Ramayana: The Introduction' gives fans a first look at Ranbir in his role. Ravi Dubey and Sai Pallavi appear only briefly in a few shots, along with glimpses of Ravana's kingdom. The video, titled Rama, mainly focuses on the journey and adventures of Lord Rama. The visuals stand out for their grand scale and impressive appeal.
Soon after the teaser was shared, fans chimed in the comment section to share their excitement. One fan wrote, "Incredible! Gave me goosebumps. much-awaited." Another commented, "Out of the world, what a fab fab first look." Third user added, "This is iconic."
Sargun Mehta said in the podcast that they rarely talk about work at home. “We don’t really talk about work at home. Just like he doesn’t know what I’m doing until my projects are announced, I also don’t find out about his work until it becomes public.” When someone congratulated her about Ravie’s role, she stopped them and said she was not supposed to know.
At the teaser launch event, Namit Malhotra, producer, shared: “The power of Rama’s story is not in what he conquers, but in what he lets go of. He represents a standard that is not easy, not convenient, but necessary.”
“He chooses duty over desire, truth over comfort, and sacrifice over self. That is why his story has endured for thousands of years, and why it continues to matter today.”
Director Nitesh Tiwari shared his take on the epic of the Ramayana and shared, “Ramayana’s greatness lies in its emotional richness. At its heart, it is not just about good and evil, but about choices, consequences, and the weight of doing what is right.”
He added: “Rama’s journey is deeply human and that is what we have tried to stay true to”
On the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti on Thursday, the makers of the upcoming epic “Ramayana” unveiled the look of Lord Rama, played by Ranbir Kapoor. Calling it a “humbling experience,” the Bollywood star said that there is a purity about him that is very rare.
Ranbir on playing Rama, said in a statement: “I don’t think I’m here to represent Rama. I’m here to learn from him. There is a simplicity and purity to him that is very rare; and trying to understand and imbibe that has been a deeply humbling experience.”
The casting marks a full-circle moment of sorts in Bollywood film history, with two generations of the Kapoor family bringing the revered character to life on the big screen.
"What Namit Malhotra is creating, with Nitesh Tiwari bringing this epic to life, is nothing short of breathtaking. The scale, the vision, the energy… all of it felt powerful." read a post while another, describing a specific moment from the teaser, the attendee added, "There was one moment that truly stayed with me—when Ram is sitting in a boat, his name is called, and he slowly turns. For someone who rarely gets emotional… that moment hit deep. It felt like home. The sound, the frequency, the emotion in that single word—it resonated in a way I can’t fully explain. Tears fell down my cheek—whether from joy or a sense of belonging, I just felt it."
"Ramayana unit is going to be out tomorrow. It is the unit called the Rama unit. I'm going to be posting it on my social media, so again, please go out there and support it," she said.
In a clip from a virtual interaction, Bhatt was seen sharing her excitement about unveiling the teaser later today. She also encouraged fans to show their support when she posts the clip on her social media handle.
Reviewing her hubby's performance in the highly anticipated Nitesh Tiwari directorial, she said, "It's absolutely fabulous. I think Ranbir has just done such a beautiful job and I just can't wait for you guys to see it." Bhatt concluded, "It's just out of this world."
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and backed by Namit Malhotra, the film also features Sai Pallavi, Yash and Sunny Deol in key roles. A special screening of the glimpse was recently held in Los Angeles, and early reactions have been overwhelmingly positive.
The teaser, reportedly 2 minutes and 38 seconds long, is already being described as a “goosebumps-filled” experience, with powerful visuals, scale and background score grabbing attention.
The actor joined director Nitesh Tiwari for a special screening of the clip, hosted by producer Namit Malhotra at his residence. The event, was attended by select guests and offered an early preview of the much-anticipated teaser, which Indian fans will have to wait until later today, April 2, to watch the clip on their screens.
“What’s wrong with India. It’s an Indian movie why not India first," one of the users wrote. “Just to create hyper in India the drama is going on..Ramayana is our story..why first glimpse in another country………producer only wants money.. where are the emotions of our people," added another. “So the absolute first people to ever see this are in Los Angeles, not India? Wow got it! At least Varanasi event was in, you know, India!" a third user wrote.
He added, "What has happened is the world has forgotten those values, it's time we remind them and maybe a film like this will make the world a better place."
In a video from the event, director Tiwari can be seen talking about his decision to cast Kapoor as Lord Rama, and entrusting him to bring the character to life on screen. Speaking at the event, Tiwari said, "Lord Ram was a man of few words. His love was unbound. His pain could not be seen but it could be felt. His courage needed a lot of physicality. This role was really demanding and so we felt that there was nobody better than Ranbir Kapoor to portray all these things and manage the expectations of a billion people."
Ranbir Kapoor explained the shift in his perspective after he embraced fatherhood and welcomed daughter Raha Kapoor with wife Alia Bhatt. Speaking about warming up to the role, he said, "That fear very quickly turned into gratitude because opportunities like this were needed very much in my life. I was in a period in my life where I needed to change my life and lifestyle. I became a father for the first time."
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Reflecting on the timing, he added, “I think the sweet coincidence of playing lord Ram and becoming a father was needed for a turning point in my life.”
On his preparation for the role, Ranbir said it began with revisiting Ramanand Sagar's iconic television adaptation of the epic.
"It is so deeply etched in our subconscious and rooted in us that we feel immense pride in Lord Rama's journey. When I got the opportunity to portray him, I knew the preparation had to go beyond the physical, it had to be emotional and spiritual. One has to be truthful to the character because he is loved by billions across centuries and will continue to be long after we are gone," he said.
Ranbir said the weight of portraying a figure of such cultural and spiritual significance was not lost on him.
"The responsibility is something I take very seriously. I have immense love and respect for this part and for the story of Ramayana. When that conviction is in place, everything else falls into place," he said.
Actor Ranbir Kapoor says his first reaction when he was offered the role of Lord Ram in the upcoming mythological epic "Ramayana" was one of self-doubt but becoming a father helped turn that hesitation into a sense of purpose.
Speaking at a special IMAX teaser screening of the film in New York, Ranbir said the offer came about four years ago and left him feeling unprepared.
"I remember when Namit offered me this part around four years back, my instant reaction was: 'I am not fit enough, good enough.' I felt I wouldn't be able to do full justice. But that fear quickly turned into gratitude because opportunities like this were something I truly needed in my life," he said according to videos shared by fans on social media.
Actor Ranbir Kapoor spoke about the responsibility of portraying Lord Rama in 'Ramayana', saying his guiding principle as an artist is to approach the role with honesty and truthfulness.
Addressing audiences at the New York ‘Rama’ first glimpse screening, Kapoor was asked about the challenges of playing Lord Ram onscreen. “As an actor, my Dharma is to do my job in the best way possible with honesty and truthfulness. There's a beautiful saying in our scriptures which translates to Dharma protects those who uphold it. As an artist, it is my job to honestly approach my work with the responsibility of hundreds and billions of Indians and other cultures who are going to see this film,” he said.
In one of the viral videos from the LA launch, Ranbir Kapoor was seen sharing his insights on bringing Lord Rama's character to life via a cinematic project.
Describing Lord Ram as "conscience keeper of billions of people", Ranbir said, "Lord Ram has been the conscience keeper of billions of people around the globe for centuries. He enlightens us about the triumph of human spirit. He stands for compassion, for courage, for righteousness and forgiveness, and is called Maryada Purushottam, which stands for an ideal man."
After wowing audience with his powerpacked performance in 'Animal', actor Ranbir Kapoor is now gearing up for the release of his one of the most amitious projects 'Ramayana', helmed by acclaimed director Nitesh Tiwari.
On Monday, Ranbir along with Nitesh Tiwari and producer Namit Malhotra unveiled a crucial asset of the film at an event in Los Angeles.
Titled 'Rama', the new glimpse reportedly features Ranbir's look as Lord Ram. In India. this asset will be launched on April 2, Coinciding with Hanuman Jayanti.
Several visuals from the US event have surfaced online, leaving fans excited.
Veteran actor Arun Govil, known for his iconic portrayal of Lord Ram in Ramanand Sagar's "Ramayan", has praised the upcoming cinematic adaptation of epic and endorsed its lead Ranbir Kapoor, saying that only a "good actor and a good human being" can convincingly play god on screen.
Billed as an ambitious cinematic event, the film features "KGF" star Yash as Ravana, Sai Pallavi as Goddess Sita, Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman and Ravie Dubey as Lord Lakshman. It is directed by Nitesh Tiwari of "Dangal" fame.
"The 'Ramayana' by Nitesh Tiwari looks very good. It has been made with a lot of hard work by Nitesh Tiwari, the actors and the entire team. The main actor Ranbir Kapoor is looking very good as Lord Ram. He is a good actor and good human being.
"To play a God, you’ve to have a good, pure soul, and you have to be a good human being also," Govil, who is playing the role of King Dasharatha, Lord Ram’s father, in "Ramayana", told PTI.
Actor Ranbir Kapoor spilled some major updates about his upcoming films during a 'Ask Me Anything' session on Instagram.
During the Insta Live, one of the users pointed out that Nitesh Tiwari's "Ramayana Part 1" will be reaching the audience on Ranbir's daughter, Raha's, birthday in November.
Reacting to this, the 'Barfi' actor called it a "beautiful coincidence".
"Ramayana" is expected to reach the cinema lovers during Diwali 2026.
Actor Ravie Dubey on Friday shared a divine coincidence from his life, revealing that almost a year before being confirmed to play Lord Lakshmana in Nitesh Tiwary’s ‘Ramayana’, he had unknowingly visited Shri Lakshman’s temple in Lucknow while shooting for Lakhan Leela Bhargava.
Ravie took to Instagram, where he shared a throwback video of himself sitting in an interview with his wife Sargun and talking about featuring in the Ranbir Kapoor-starrer.
Taking to the caption section, he said that during the filming of the show ‘Lakhan Leela Bhargava’, where he portrayed a character named Lakhan, he happened to visit Shri Lakshman’s temple in Lakshmanpuri purely by coincidence.
“Almost exactly A year before i got confirmed to play ‘Lakshman’ in ‘Ramayana’ I purely by coincidence landed up at Shri Lakshman’s temple in Lakshmanpuri (Lucknow) while filming a show called ‘Lakhan Leela Bhargava’ where I played a character called ‘Lakhan’,” Ravie wrote.
On the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami, the makers of Ranbir Kapoor-starrer 'Ramayana' shared an important announcement that left fans extremely excited.
Producer Namit Malhotra took to Instagram and revealed that the next promotional asset of Ramayana will be released on Hanuman Jayanti on April 2. The next glimpse has been titled 'Rama'.
He wrote, "Shubh Rama Navami. This is a story that belongs to all of us, and every step we take has been guided by a deep sense of responsibility, devotion, and care to bring our very own ramayana to life in its truest spirit and scale with utmost sincerity. We look forward to sharing the next glimpse, 'Rama' on 2nd april, on the auspicious occasion of Hanuman Jayanti, as we begin to showcase all these years of our effort through a grand world reveal with fans, celebrating this moment across the world. Thank you for your love, faith, and patience."
The glimpse will mark the first official look at Kapoor as Lord Rama. The teaser has already been screened at special screening events in Los Angeles, New York City and at a private screening at producer Namit Malhotra's residence in Mumbai.
Early reactions from preview screenings have praised the film’s scale and visuals, with Alia Bhatt calling it “out of this world.”
With a runtime of 2 minutes and 38 seconds, the teaser is expected to offer a detailed introduction to the film’s tone and design.
The two-part epic, also starring Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana, is slated for release in Diwali 2026 and Diwali 2027.
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