Namit Malhotra’s Ramayana Set to Be India’s Most Expensive Film at ₹4000 Crore

The Indian film industry is gearing up for its most ambitious project yet—Ramayana, a mythological epic being helmed by producer Namit Malhotra, is now officially the costliest Indian film ever made, with a staggering budget of ₹4000 crore (over 500 million dollars)

Malhotra, the CEO of Oscar-winning VFX giant DNEG and founder of Prime Focus, confirmed in a recent statement that the production is being entirely self-funded, with no major studio backing the venture. The film is expected to be released in two parts, with Part One targeting a Diwali 2026 release, followed by Part Two in 2027.

Why Is Ramayana So Expensive?

1. Unprecedented Visual Effects

As the man behind Dune, Tenet, and Inception, Malhotra is sparing no expense in bringing Ramayana to life through cutting-edge VFX. His studio DNEG—winner of 8 Academy Awards for Best Visual Effects—is spearheading the digital production, with over 600 days allocated just for post-production.

2. Star-Studded Cast

The cast includes:

• Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram

• Yash as Ravana

• Sai Pallavi as Sita

• Sunny Deol, Lara Dutta, and reportedly Amitabh Bachchan in key roles

• Also includes Hans Zimmer & A.R Rahman collaborating to produce music that is probably gonna blow everyone away.

  
  

This A-list ensemble is expected to draw audiences across age groups and regions.

3. Global-Level Creative Collaboration

The film features original music composed by A.R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer—a first-of-its-kind Indo-Hollywood collaboration. Action sequences are being designed by Hollywood stunt teams, further elevating the film's international appeal.

4. Massive Set Construction and Design

Filming is spread across multiple countries and features elaborate sets of Ayodhya, Lanka, and other mythological landscapes—built on a scale never before seen in Indian cinema.

A Cultural & Cinematic Landmark in the Making

Malhotra’s Ramayana isn’t just a movie—it’s a statement. A statement that Indian cinema can go toe-to-toe with global blockbusters like Avatar, The Lord of the Rings, and Dune in terms of storytelling, scale, and spectacle.

With Ramayana, India aims to create a culturally rooted, globally appealing cinematic universe that transcends borders.

Expectations and Industry Buzz

The expectations from Ramayana are sky-high. According to early reports, just the first look of the film generated nearly ₹1000 crore in brand interest and licensing deals—even before a trailer has been released.

If successful, Ramayana could:

• Redefine what’s possible for Indian filmmakers

• Open global markets to Indian mythology

• Spark a new era of high-concept, high-budget Indian franchises

  
  

Final Thoughts

At ₹4000 crore, Ramayana is a really high-stakes gamble—but one rooted in passion, vision, and belief in Indian storytelling. With Namit Malhotra’s pedigree, the best of global talent, and a story that has lived in Indian consciousness for millennia, this could be the film that changes everything.