Though there is no official word on its production status or details regarding its cast yet, director Nitesh Tiwari’s rumoured adaptation of the Hindu epic Ramayana is currently one of the most anticipated Indian films. Ever since reports surfaced that Tiwari is planning the project with Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor and South icon Sai Pallavi in the lead roles, portraying Lord Ram and Goddess Sita respectively, moviegoers and fans have been eagerly monitoring social media platforms for more information, but to no avail.
Nevertheless, a new report has emerged claiming that the project is being planned as a franchise, with the first part being budgeted at a jaw-dropping $100 million, approximately Rs 835 crore, making it the costliest Indian film of all time.
"Ramayana is not just a film but an emotion and the makers are leaving no stone unturned to make it a global spectacle," Bollywood Hungama quoted a source close to the project as saying. According to reports, Namit Malhotra, founder and non-executive director of Prime Focus Limited and CEO of its British-Indian subsidiary DNEG, is one of the producers of the project.
The source further revealed to Bollywood Hungama that Malhotra is leveraging all his global experience to make this a true spectacle. "The $100 Million [Rs 835 crore] budget is just for Ramayana: Part One. He plans to expand this further as the franchise grows. The idea is to take the audience on a visual treat with Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram. The film requires 600 days of post-production work, which in itself speaks volumes about the investment required to create some of the most original visuals on the spectacle. The idea is to take Indian Cinema at a global level," they added.
A month ago, DNEG had released a statement on its official website, following the publication of an article on Variety, announcing that Kannada superstar Yash and his production company Monster Mind Creations were joining the team creating Ramayana. "By joining forces to co-produce Ramayana we are bringing together our collective vision and experience to create an Indian film that will ignite excitement and passion in audiences across the world. Ramayana is woven into the fabric of our lives. We believe we know it well, yet each encounter unveils fresh wisdom, ignites new knowledge, and offers unique perspectives. This is a journey to share the Ramayana with the world, a testament to our commitment to creative exploration, bold visions and honest storytelling," Yash said.
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“I am incredibly proud of what we are creating, and I cannot wait for the world to experience the very best of Indian culture and storytelling on cinema screens across the globe. In Yash, I recognise a similar aspiration to share the best of our culture with the world. Inspired by his journey from Karnataka to the incredible international success of K.G.F: Chapter 2, I can’t think of a better partner to help create a major global impact with this, the greatest of all our stories,” Malhotra added.
Recently, a couple of photos purportedly leaked from the film’s sets had surfaced online and instantly went viral on social media. The pictures featured both Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi, donning costumes and makeup seemingly for their roles in Ramayana.