Not Adipurush or Kalki! India’s Most Expensive Film Ever Made Will Shock You
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Nitesh Tiwari's two-part Ramayana adaptation, with a reported budget of $100 million (approximately Rs 835 crore), has completed shooting for its first installment and entered post-production, setting a new benchmark as the costliest project in Indian film history, surpassing previous big-budget productions like Kalki 2898 AD, RRR, Adipurush, and Brahmastra Part One. The film, starring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Yash as Ravana, is scheduled for a theatrical debut on Diwali 2026, with its first look to be released on July 3, and aims to deliver a faithful and detailed retelling of the ancient Sanskrit epic using advanced CGI work and technical craftsmanship by DNEG, a British-Indian VFX powerhouse. The decision to release the film in two parts is part of the filmmakers’ broader strategy to deliver a faithful and detailed retelling of the epic.
The upcoming Ramayana adaptation is directed by Nitesh Tiwari. The film is poised to become the most expensive project in the history of Indian cinema.
The reported budget is $100 million, which is approximately Rs 835 crore. This figure surpasses previous high-budget films in the Indian film industry.
According to a 2024 report by Bollywood Hungama, the first installment of the two-part film has already wrapped shooting and entered the post-production phase.
Once released, it will surpass Kalki 2898 AD (Rs 600 crore), RRR and Adipurush (each with Rs 550 crore budgets), as well as the VFX-laden Brahmastra Part One, which previously held the Bollywood record at Rs 375 crore.
Nitesh Tiwari, known for directing Dangal, helms Ramayana. The film reimagines the ancient Sanskrit epic penned by sage Valmiki.
Ranbir Kapoor stars as Lord Rama. Sai Pallavi portrays Sita. Kannada superstar Yash takes on the character of Ravana.
The ensemble cast also features Vivek Oberoi, Rakul Preet Singh, Lara Dutta, Kajal Aggarwal, Ravi Dubey, Kunal Kapoor, Arun Govil, Sheeba Chadha, and Indira Krishnan.
The first look of the much-anticipated film is scheduled for release on July 3. The theatrical debut is slated for Diwali 2026.
The film’s visual effects are being crafted by DNEG, a British-Indian VFX powerhouse with eight Academy Awards in the Best Visual Effects category.
Namit Malhotra leads DNEG. He is also the producer of Ramayana.
Malhotra owns Prime Focus, recognized as the world’s largest independent media services group, and serves as DNEG’s global CEO.
With its advanced CGI work and technical craftsmanship, Ramayana is being designed as a spectacle meant to rival the biggest international productions.
The filmmakers are reportedly placing significant emphasis on photorealistic environments, elaborate creature designs, and immersive action sequences, aiming to create a cinematic experience unlike anything previously attempted in India.
Unlike earlier mythological adaptations, Ramayana will be released in two parts, allowing an extensive story and characters.
The decision to split the story is part of the filmmakers’ broader strategy to deliver a faithful and detailed retelling of the epic.
With shooting for Part 1 now complete, the post-production phase is expected to be intensive and lengthy, given the volume of VFX involved.
Part 2’s filming schedule has not yet been disclosed, though it is expected to follow after the initial release garners audience feedback and critical reception.
The upcoming Ramayana adaptation is directed by Nitesh Tiwari. The film is poised to become the most expensive project in the history of Indian cinema.
The reported budget is $100 million, which is approximately Rs 835 crore. This figure surpasses previous high-budget films in the Indian film industry.
According to a 2024 report by Bollywood Hungama, the first installment of the two-part film has already wrapped shooting and entered the post-production phase.
Once released, it will surpass Kalki 2898 AD (Rs 600 crore), RRR and Adipurush (each with Rs 550 crore budgets), as well as the VFX-laden Brahmastra Part One, which previously held the Bollywood record at Rs 375 crore.
Nitesh Tiwari, known for directing Dangal, helms Ramayana. The film reimagines the ancient Sanskrit epic penned by sage Valmiki.
Ranbir Kapoor stars as Lord Rama. Sai Pallavi portrays Sita. Kannada superstar Yash takes on the character of Ravana.
The ensemble cast also features Vivek Oberoi, Rakul Preet Singh, Lara Dutta, Kajal Aggarwal, Ravi Dubey, Kunal Kapoor, Arun Govil, Sheeba Chadha, and Indira Krishnan.
The first look of the much-anticipated film is scheduled for release on July 3. The theatrical debut is slated for Diwali 2026.
The film’s visual effects are being crafted by DNEG, a British-Indian VFX powerhouse with eight Academy Awards in the Best Visual Effects category.
Namit Malhotra leads DNEG. He is also the producer of Ramayana.
Malhotra owns Prime Focus, recognized as the world’s largest independent media services group, and serves as DNEG’s global CEO.
With its advanced CGI work and technical craftsmanship, Ramayana is being designed as a spectacle meant to rival the biggest international productions.
The filmmakers are reportedly placing significant emphasis on photorealistic environments, elaborate creature designs, and immersive action sequences, aiming to create a cinematic experience unlike anything previously attempted in India.
Unlike earlier mythological adaptations, Ramayana will be released in two parts, allowing an extensive story and characters.
The decision to split the story is part of the filmmakers’ broader strategy to deliver a faithful and detailed retelling of the epic.
With shooting for Part 1 now complete, the post-production phase is expected to be intensive and lengthy, given the volume of VFX involved.
Part 2’s filming schedule has not yet been disclosed, though it is expected to follow after the initial release garners audience feedback and critical reception.
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