Anticipation is building around director Nitesh Tiwari's cinematic adaptation of the epic Ramayana as the multi-starrer approaches its theatrical release. With promotional campaigns progressing and advance booking counters witnessing vigorous activity, lead actor Ranbir Kapoor has offered a fascinating glimpse into his daughter Raha Kapoor's quiet connection to the production. The actor revealed that young Raha is already deeply captivated by the legendary narrative and has spent memorable moments on the studio floors, even filming a special shot alongside key cast members.
Storytelling at Home and Raha's Time on the Studio Floor
Ranbir Kapoor shared that he and his wife Alia Bhatt regularly narrate stories from the Ramayana to Raha. Because she grew up listening to these accounts at home, the child naturally developed a keen interest in the epic at an early age. This fascination led her to accompany her father to the film's elaborate sets on multiple occasions. During one of those studio visits, Raha participated in filming a shot alongside Sai Pallavi, who plays Sita, and Ravi Dubey, who portrays Lakshmana. Expressing warmth over her involvement, Ranbir noted that having his daughter share in this creative milestone brings him immense happiness, adding that he hopes Ramayana will be the very first feature film Raha watches on the big screen.
How Fatherhood Deepened the Portrayal of Lord Rama
The timeline of being cast as Lord Rama coincided closely with Ranbir Kapoor stepping into fatherhood in his personal life. Reflecting on whether becoming a parent influenced his preparation for such a revered figure, the actor noted that fatherhood sparked a profound desire within him to evolve into a better individual. He explained that this transformative milestone arrived at an opportune time, providing emotional maturity and enriching his capacity to grasp the dignity, empathy, and responsibility embodied by the character of Lord Rama.
Ensemble Cast and Release Strategy Across Two Installments
Produced by Namit Malhotra and directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the high-budget cinematic adaptation is structured as a two-part epic. The production features a prominent cast headlined by Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Ravi Dubey as Lakshmana, and Sunny Deol portraying Hanuman. The wider cast includes Arun Govil as King Dasharatha, Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi, Indira Krishnan as Kaushalya, Rakul Preet Singh as Surpanakha, and Kajal Aggarwal as Mandodari. The opening chapter is scheduled to debut globally on November 5, 2026, coinciding with the Diwali festive window. Audiences will be able to watch the film in Hindi along with dubbed versions in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam, while the concluding second chapter is planned for a Diwali 2027 theatrical launch.
