Your family WhatsApp group has probably already argued about it. One cousin has booked tickets for Sunday, another is waiting for reviews, and someone’s uncle wants to know if the kids can sit through a three-hour film. Ramayana is everywhere this week.
If you are planning to watch Ramayana Part One this weekend, this list is for you. We have pulled together the 10 things worth knowing before you walk into the theatre: the cast, the runtime, the music, the record budget, the box office numbers so far and what is coming next. No spoilers beyond what the makers and the trade press have already made public.
Quick Answer: The Top 10 at a Glance
- It is only half the story: Part One covers the first three chapters (kandas) of Valmiki’s epic.
- It is India’s most expensive film: about ₹2,000 crore for Part One, around ₹4,000 crore for both parts.
- A huge, mixed cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, Sai Pallavi, Ravi Dubey and Sunny Deol lead it.
- Hans Zimmer meets A.R. Rahman: the Hollywood composer’s first Indian film score.
- Long runtime: around 195 minutes in India, so plan your interval snacks.
- U certificate, no cuts: cleared for all ages by the CBFC.
- VFX by an Oscar-winning studio: DNEG handled the visual effects.
- Huge opening weekend: close to ₹500 crore worldwide in four days.
- Two titles, one film: released abroad as “Ramayana: Rise of a Legend”.
- Part 2 is still a while away: first planned for Diwali 2027, with reports of a move to 2028.
Ramayana Part One: Key Facts Table
| Detail | What we know (Nov 2026) |
|---|---|
| Director | Nitesh Tiwari (Dangal) |
| Producers | Namit Malhotra and Yash |
| Lead cast | Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, Sai Pallavi, Ravi Dubey, Sunny Deol |
| Music | Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman |
| Runtime (India) | About 195 minutes |
| Certificate | U (CBFC) |
| Reported budget | About ₹2,000 crore (Part One) |
| Release | 5 November 2026 (worldwide) |
1. It Is a Two-Part Film: Part One Stops Halfway
This is the single most useful thing to know. Ramayana Part One is the first of a two-film series, and it adapts only the first three kandas (chapters) of Valmiki’s Ramayana. That takes the story from Ram’s childhood in Ayodhya through his 14-year exile in the forest.
The Indian Express, in its explainer on the ending, reported that the film closes with Sita’s abduction. So if you are expecting the war in Lanka, the bridge to Lanka or the big final battle, those belong to Part Two.
The project itself has a long history. It was first announced back in 2017, was at one point planned as a trilogy, and was later reshaped into two films under Nitesh Tiwari as sole director.
Good to know: go in expecting a “first half” of the story with a cliffhanger ending, and you will enjoy it more.
2. It Is India’s Most Expensive Film Ever Made
The numbers here are genuinely wild. During a Bombay High Court hearing in early November 2026, the court was told Part One alone cost about ₹2,000 crore, with the two-part saga at around ₹4,000 crore combined, as reported by The Times of India. Producer Namit Malhotra had first spoken about the ₹4,000 crore figure back in July 2025.
That makes the Ramayana duology the most expensive Indian production ever, and also among the costliest non-English films made anywhere. For context, most big Bollywood star vehicles cost a small fraction of that.
Trade analysts have pointed out the flip side. India Today ran a breakdown estimating the film needs a very large global total to recover its cost, so every weekend’s numbers are being watched closely.
3. The Ramayana Cast: Big Stars and Big Debuts
The Ramayana cast is a rare mix of Hindi, Kannada and South stars. Ranbir Kapoor plays Ram, Sai Pallavi plays Sita, and KGF star Yash plays Ravana. This is Yash’s first Hindi film, and he is also one of the producers through his company Monster Mind Creations.
TV favourite Ravi Dubey makes his film debut as Lakshman, while Sunny Deol plays Hanuman. The supporting cast includes Anupam Kher, Kajal Aggarwal, Rakul Preet Singh, Vivek Oberoi, Kunal Kapoor, Adinath Kothare, Indira Krishnan and Lara Dutta.
There is also a lovely nod for older viewers: Arun Govil, who played Ram in Ramanand Sagar’s 1987 TV series, is part of the cast too.
- Best for: fans of Ranbir, Yash and Sai Pallavi who want to see them in very different roles.
- Watch for: Yash’s first Hindi performance, which many viewers are discussing online.
4. Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman Composed the Music
Two Oscar winners on one score. Hans Zimmer, known for Interstellar, The Lion King and Dune, worked with A.R. Rahman on the film’s music. This is Zimmer’s first work for an Indian film.
Rahman described the collaboration as “terrifying” in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, which tells you how big the pairing felt even to him. If you care about sound, this is one film where paying a bit more for a good-quality screen and sound system makes sense.
Good to know: the score is a major part of the experience, so a big-screen viewing is worth it over waiting for OTT.
5. Ramayana Runtime: Plan for More Than Three Hours
The Indian version runs about 195 minutes, which is a little over three hours and fifteen minutes before you add ads and the interval. Overseas cuts differ: reports say the English-language version shown in the US is shorter and leaves out some sequences.
For families, this matters more than any review. A 7 pm show could easily end after 10:45 pm once trailers and the break are counted. If you have young kids, a morning or early afternoon show is the smarter booking.
- Tip: check the exact end time on BookMyShow or your theatre app before booking.
- Tip: eat before you go; multiplex food for four people over three hours adds up fast.
6. It Got a U Certificate With No Cuts
Bollywood Hungama reported that the Central Board of Film Certification passed the film with a U certificate and without a single cut. That is unusual for a big-budget action spectacle with battle scenes.
A U rating means it is cleared for unrestricted public viewing, so children can watch it. Just keep the runtime in mind, and remember that some fight sequences and the demon characters may feel intense for very small kids.
In the UK, the film carries a 12A rating from the BBFC, which is worth knowing if you have relatives watching it abroad.
7. DNEG, an Oscar-Winning Studio, Did the VFX
The visual effects come from DNEG, the London-based studio led by producer Namit Malhotra. DNEG has won multiple Academy Awards for visual effects on films such as Inception, Interstellar and Dune, and it worked on this film alongside Prime Focus Studios and Monster Mind Creations.
That explains a lot of the budget. Large chunks of the film depend on effects-heavy worlds, creatures and battles. Filming ran from April 2024 at Film City, Mumbai, until July 2025, followed by a long post-production stretch.
Good to know: if you can, pick a premium format screen. Effects-driven films look noticeably better on large, bright screens.
8. Ramayana Box Office: Close to ₹500 Crore in Four Days
This is why the film is trending. According to trade reports compiled by Business Standard, Ramayana Part One collected close to ₹500 crore gross worldwide in its first four days, with roughly ₹285 crore gross from India and over ₹200 crore from overseas markets. Sacnilk’s estimate is slightly higher, at just over ₹507 crore.
The India net total stood at roughly ₹239 crore after Day 4, with an opening day net of around ₹62 to ₹65 crore depending on the tracker. The Week reported it crossed ₹200 crore gross in India within three days.
Box office trackers often disagree by a few crore, so treat these as approximate. If you follow these numbers, our list of the highest-grossing Indian films of all time shows the targets Ramayana will need to beat to enter the all-time top 10.
9. It Has Two Titles and an Academy Museum Premiere
In India, the film was released as “Namit Malhotra’s Ramayana”. Internationally, it carries the title “Ramayana: Rise of a Legend”. So if friends in Dubai, London or New Jersey talk about “Rise of a Legend”, it is the same film.
Before its 5 November release, the film premiered at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles on 27 October 2026. Variety reported strong international numbers in its opening weekend round-up.
Back home it is playing in Hindi as well as Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam, which helps explain the strong South India numbers. It arrived right in the festive season, so if you are still planning your Diwali-week family outing, pair it with a box of one of our traditional Diwali sweets from across India.
10. Ramayana Part 2 Is Still a Long Wait
When the makers announced the project in November 2024, Part One was set for Diwali 2026 and Part Two for Diwali 2027. Several reports in November 2026 now say Part Two may arrive in 2028 instead, though an official new date had not been confirmed when we published this.
Ranbir Kapoor has said in interviews that a good part of Part Two has already been shot. Either way, expect at least a year’s wait for the second half of the story.
Good to know: stay seated as the credits start, since fans online have been discussing what the ending sets up for the sequel.
How We Picked This List
We focused on what a viewer actually needs before buying a ticket: story scope, runtime, age rating, cast, music, visuals and the numbers driving the buzz. Every fact here comes from published reporting by outlets including The Times of India, The Indian Express, Business Standard, Bollywood Hungama, The Week, Variety and the BBFC, cross-checked across at least three sources where possible.
Where sources disagreed, such as daily box office figures, we gave a range or the more conservative number. We have not reviewed the film ourselves, and this is not a review. It is a fact sheet to help you decide.
Mistakes to Avoid When Booking Ramayana Part One
- Booking a late show with kids: with a runtime over three hours, a 9 pm show ends well past midnight.
- Expecting the full epic: the war and the return to Ayodhya are not in this film.
- Sharing clips from the theatre: the makers have warned of legal action against people sharing unauthorised clips, and the Bombay High Court granted them a dynamic injunction against piracy.
- Trusting a single box office number: trackers vary, so check a couple of sources if you are following the race.
- Waiting for weekday prices to drop on opening week: demand is high, so good seats on weekends go fast in cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad.
Big releases like this are part of a larger entertainment rush this season. If you are a gamer as well as a movie buff, our explainer on the top things to know about GTA 6 before it launches covers the other mega-release everyone is talking about.
Our Take
The one thing you really must know is the first point on this list: Ramayana Part One is half a story, and it ends on a cliffhanger. Go in with that in mind, pick a big screen for the Zimmer-Rahman score and DNEG’s effects, and book a show that suits a three-plus-hour sitting.
Critics are divided, but the opening weekend shows Indian audiences are turning up in huge numbers. Whether it becomes an all-time record breaker will depend on how well it holds over the next few weeks.
FAQs
What is the runtime of Ramayana Part One?
The Indian version runs about 195 minutes, a little over three hours and fifteen minutes, not counting ads and the interval.
Who plays Ravana in Ramayana?
Kannada superstar Yash plays Ravana. It is his first Hindi film, and he is also a producer of the film.
How much has Ramayana Part One collected at the box office?
Trade reports put the worldwide gross at close to ₹500 crore after four days, with around ₹239 crore net in India. Figures change daily and vary slightly by tracker.
Is Ramayana Part One suitable for kids?
Yes, the CBFC gave it a U certificate with no cuts. The long runtime and some intense battle scenes are the main things parents should consider.
When will Ramayana Part 2 release?
It was originally announced for Diwali 2027. Recent reports suggest it may move to 2028, but no official new date had been confirmed as of November 2026.
More Top Lists You’ll Like
- Top 10 Highest-Grossing Indian Films of All Time (2026): see the records Ramayana is chasing.
- Top 5 Things to Know About GTA 6 Before It Launches (2026): the other blockbuster release of the season.
- Top 10 Traditional Diwali Sweets From Across India (2026): the perfect side to a festive family movie outing.
Box office figures are approximate trade estimates as of 9 November 2026 and may change daily. Release plans for Part 2 are based on media reports and may be revised by the makers. Sources include Business Standard and the BBFC. This article is general information, not a film review.
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