Ranbir Kapoor’s Ramayana: Part 1 nears 5 November release after teaser, trailer and Parshurama reveal

Nitesh Tiwari’s two-part adaptation of the Ramayana is one week away from cinemas. Ramayana: Part 1, with Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, is set for a worldwide theatrical release on Thursday, 5 November 2026, and early ticket sales suggest strong interest at home and abroad. The road to release has run through a teaser in April, a full trailer in July and Ranbir’s confirmation that he plays a second character in the film.

From teaser to trailer

The first look arrived on Thursday, 2 April, timed to Hanuman Jayanti. Titled “Rama”, the teaser ran for a little over two minutes and centred on Ranbir’s Rama as a figure of duty and righteousness, Gulf News reported. Responses online were divided: some viewers praised its scale, while others said the visual effects fell short of what such a large budget should buy.

A longer trailer followed on Thursday, 30 July. India TV reported that it ran for 4 minutes and 9 seconds, crossed five million YouTube views within six hours, and introduced figures such as Surpanakha, Kaikeyi, Manthara and Maricha.

Ranbir’s second role

Ranbir has confirmed that he also plays Lord Parshurama. Speaking to Collider at a preview event in Los Angeles, he linked the two parts through Vishnu’s avatars, observing that Parshurama “was an avatar before Lord Rama”, Gulf News reported. He called the opportunity “fantastic” and said he spent about a year before filming studying the spiritual and emotional side of the characters.

India TV said viewers spotted the double role in the trailer, in a scene where Parshurama kneels before Rama and presents him with the Sharanga bow.

Cast, makers and release plan

Sai Pallavi plays Sita, Yash plays Ravana, Sunny Deol is Hanuman and Ravie Dubey is Lakshman. The film is produced by Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios in partnership with the visual effects company DNEG and Yash’s Monster Mind Creations, ETV Bharat and IANS reported. A R Rahman and Hans Zimmer have composed the music, which Gulf News described as Zimmer’s first Indian film.

The makers fixed the 5 November date on Sunday, 11 October, the first day of Navratri, alongside a new ensemble poster, and said advance bookings would open on Dussehra. The film will play in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam, including IMAX screens. Sony Pictures is handling international distribution and Dharma Productions the Hindi-speaking market. ETV Bharat noted that an international trailer had earlier listed 6 November, and that previews on 4 November had been reported. Part 2 is scheduled for Diwali 2027.

No official budget has been announced. Gulf News cited a reported figure of Rs 40 billion (about Rs 4,000 crore) and said the producers have compared the project’s ambition to The Lord of the Rings and Avatar; we have not been able to confirm that figure independently.

Early box-office signs

Trade tracker Sacnilk reported on Sunday, 25 October, that worldwide advance sales had passed $2 million (about Rs 20.5 crore). That figure includes North American previews on 4 November and opening-day bookings, with India the biggest single share. Sacnilk described the numbers as approximate.

Sources

• Gulf News: Ranbir Kapoor’s Ramayana: Teaser out and everything you need to know
• Gulf News: Not just Lord Rama: Ranbir Kapoor confirms a surprise second role in Ramayana
• India TV: Did Ramayana trailer reveal Ranbir Kapoor’s double role?
• ETV Bharat: Ramayana Part 1 release date confirmed
• Siasat (IANS): Ranbir Kapoor’s Ramayana: Part 1 release date locked, not Diwali
• Sacnilk: Ramayana worldwide advance booking crosses $2 million