Ramayana Trailer Released: Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, and Yash Headline Epic First Look

Byline: By SK

The wait for Indian cinema’s most ambitious project is over. Producer Namit Malhotra and director Nitesh Tiwari have released the official four-minute-and-nine-second trailer for Ramayana: Part 1. Unveiled during the auspicious early morning Brahma Muhurat at 4:15 AM IST, the first trailer delivers a massive, visually stunning look at the mythological saga that has been seven years in the making.

Starring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Yash as Lankesh (Ravana), the footage establishes the scale, character dynamics, and emotional weight of the two-part cinematic adaptation.

Ramayana Trailer Review

The official trailer successfully balances spectacular visual scale with intimate character drama. Concerns regarding CGI from earlier preview leaks have been put to rest, as the visual effects handled by eight-time Academy Award-winning studio DNEG deliver clean, immersive world-building. From the golden spires of Lanka to the open, pristine architecture of Ayodhya, the environments feel textured and grounded.

A major highlight of the trailer is the background score, composed through a landmark collaboration between Oscar-winning legend Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman. The musical arrangements blend sweeping Western orchestrations with classical Indian sitar solos, traditional shlokas, and choral arrangements. Rather than relying on constant, fast-paced action cuts, the trailer gives scenes room to breathe, establishing the moral stakes, royal politics, and looming conflict between good and evil.

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Ramayana Trailer Breakdown – Hidden Details

A frame-by-frame look at the trailer reveals several significant storytelling choices and subtle details crafted by director Nitesh Tiwari:

Ravana’s Command & Entrance: The trailer opens not in Ayodhya, but in Lanka. Yash makes a striking entrance with his face covered, stepping past a heavy palace doorway before declaring to his court, “Tumhara naya raja” (Your new king). His rise to power across Dev Lok, Prithvi Lok, and Paatal Lok sets up Ravana as an unstoppable, imposing force before Lord Ram is even introduced.
The Incarnation Narration: As Lanka’s power grows, a voiceover explains that whenever the cosmic balance between good and evil is disrupted, an avatar of Vishnu takes birth to restore order. The trailer then transitions to Ayodhya, introducing Ranbir Kapoor’s character in simple saffron robes before showing his progression into a warrior prince.
The Shurpanakha Episode: The trailer provides a brief look at Rakul Preet Singh playing Ravana’s sister, Shurpanakha. The sequence shows her trying to allure Lord Ram, who firmly rejects her advances out of devotion to Sita. This leads directly into the iconic scene where Lakshman cuts off her nose, triggering Ravana’s quest for vengeance.
Sita’s Resolve: Sai Pallavi’s portrayal of Sita emphasizes quiet strength rather than vulnerability. In a brief but notable shot, Sita is seen holding a weapon, hinting at an active, courageous portrayal of the character. Her Hindi dialogue delivery is natural and grounded.
King Dasharatha’s Farewell: Former TV Ram Arun Govil, who plays King Dasharatha in this film, appears in a poignant moment running helplessly after the royal chariot as Ram, Sita, and Lakshman depart Ayodhya for their 14-year exile (vanvaas).
The Absence of Lord Hanuman: Notably absent from the entire trailer are visuals of Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman. While actor profiles confirm his central role, the filmmakers deliberately held back his visual reveal, saving the character for future promotional drops or the film’s theatrical premiere.

Ramayana Cast and Characters Explained

The ensemble cast assembled by casting director Mukesh Chhabra brings together prominent talent from across Indian cinema:

Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram: Portraying the avatar of Vishnu, Ranbir Kapoor carries a calm, dignified posture. His look ranges from royal silk garments in Ayodhya to humble bark clothing during exile, culminating in a bow-wielding warrior avatar taking a vow to defeat Ravana before the three worlds.
Yash as Ravana (Lankesh): Rocking Star Yash dominates the screen with a muscular build, deep voice modulation, and commanding physical presence. In addition to starring as the primary antagonist, Yash is also co-producing the film through Monster Mind Creations.
Sai Pallavi as Sita: Making her Hindi film debut, Sai Pallavi brings grace, warmth, and quiet resilience to Sita. Her performance balances royal elegance with emotional fortitude during the exile sequences.
Ravie Dubey as Lakshman: Playing Lord Ram’s fiercely loyal younger brother, Ravie Dubey is featured in key action sequences protecting sage rituals in the forest and standing firmly beside Ram during confrontation scenes.
Arun Govil as King Dasharatha: In a symbolic passing of the torch, Arun Govil—who famously portrayed Lord Ram in Ramanand Sagar’s classic 1987 television series—plays the emperor of Ayodhya facing the heartbreaking duty of exiling his eldest son.
Rakul Preet Singh as Shurpanakha: Plays Ravana’s sister whose actions set off the central conflict between Lanka and Ayodhya.
Ensemble Supporting Cast: The trailer also features brief glimpses of Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi, alongside supporting appearances by Vivek Oberoi, Saurabh Sachdeva, Kunal Kapoor, and Faisal Malik.

Ramayana Release Date, Budget and Box Office Expectations

Global Release Schedule

Ramayana: Part 1 is officially scheduled to open in cinemas worldwide during Diwali 2026 (November 5, 2026).
Ramayana: Part 2 will complete the epic saga with a theatrical release during Diwali 2027.

Production Budget and Distribution Partners

Produced by Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios in partnership with Monster Mind Creations, the two-part feature holds a combined budget estimated at over ₹830 Crore ($100 Million USD). This places it among the highest-budget productions ever mounted in Indian cinema history.

Sony Pictures Entertainment is handling global international distribution, while Dharma Productions has secured North Indian theatrical distribution. Music rights for both films were acquired by T-Series in a record setting deal. The film was shot natively for IMAX screens.

Box Office Expectations

Given the global distribution network and simultaneous release across Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam languages, trade analysts project Ramayana: Part 1 to challenge all-time opening weekend and lifetime box office records for Indian cinema both domestically and across overseas markets.

Fan Reactions to the Ramayana Trailer

Social media erupted within minutes of the 4:15 AM trailer drop, with hashtags surrounding the film trending globally:

Acclaim for Yash’s Screen Presence: Moviegoers and fans widely praised Yash’s villainous introduction, highlighting his screen presence, dialogue delivery, and commanding aura as Lankesh.
Praise for Ranbir Kapoor’s Composure: Fans commended Ranbir’s restrained, serene portrayal of Lord Ram, noting that his subtle expressions suit the traditional concept of Maryada Purushottam.
Praise for the A.R. Rahman & Hans Zimmer Score: The musical arrangement received universal praise, with fans noting that the fusion of classical Indian instruments with cinematic orchestral swells elevated the trailer’s emotional impact.
Discussion Over Unrevealed Characters: Online communities remain actively engaged in discussing the decision to keep Sunny Deol’s Lord Hanuman under wraps, with theories suggesting a dedicated reveal closer to the release date.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the official release date for the Ramayana movie?

Ramayana: Part 1 is scheduled to release in theaters worldwide during Diwali 2026 on November 5, 2026. The second installment, Ramayana: Part 2, will follow during Diwali 2027.

Who is directing the 2026 Ramayana film?

The film is directed by Nitesh Tiwari, renowned for directing blockbuster hits like Dangal and Chhichhore.

Who plays Ravana in the new Ramayana trailer?

Kannada superstar Yash (famous for the KGF series) plays Ravana (Lankesh). He is also co-producing the two-part film project.

Who composed the music for the Ramayana movie trailer?

The film’s score and soundtrack are composed jointly by Academy Award winners A.R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer.

Is Sunny Deol in the Ramayana trailer?

Sunny Deol plays Lord Hanuman in the film, but his character was deliberately kept out of the first trailer to preserve the reveal for future promotional events.