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Indian cinema is gearing up for the most ambitious production in its history. A big-screen adaptation of the ancient epic Ramayana has reportedly cost around $500 million, putting it among the most expensive film projects ever made outside Hollywood. Producer Namit Malhotra is betting on more than just a spectacular movie: he wants to turn Indian mythology into a global cultural and commercial phenomenon.

“This is all my money. All the risk is on me. I'm going all in,” Malhotra told CNN in an interview.

The project is divided into two parts, each with an estimated budget of around $250 million. For comparison, the highest-grossing Indian film at the global box office, Dangal, starring Aamir Khan, earned approximately $304 million. The financial expectations for Ramayana are therefore exceptionally high. However, the filmmakers are looking beyond theatrical revenue. If necessary, they are prepared to generate income through merchandise, a theme park and other commercial ventures built around the franchise.

From an ancient epic to a Hollywood-scale blockbuster

Ramayana is one of the most important texts in Hindu culture. Traditionally attributed to the sage Valmiki, the ancient epic poem is more than 2,000 years old. It tells the story of Prince Rama, who sets out to rescue his wife, Sita, from the demon king Ravana. Its themes of good versus evil, loyalty, duty and sacrifice have resonated with generations of Indians.

The epic has been adapted for the screen numerous times, including in a celebrated television series in the 1980s. However, it has never before been brought to life on such a scale or with such ambitious international aspirations.

Malhotra is the head of British visual effects studio DNEG, which has won eight Academy Awards, and the founder of India's Prime Focus Studios. He aims to prove that Indian cinema can compete with Hollywood's biggest productions not only in scale but also in production quality.

For the project, the producer recruited director Nitesh Tiwari, best known for Dangal. The leading roles have gone to stars from different regional film industries across India: Ranbir Kapoor plays Rama, Yash portrays Ravana, and Sai Pallavi takes on the role of Sita. The score is being composed by Oscar winners Hans Zimmer and A. R. Rahman, while visual effects are being handled by DNEG.

Indian stars meet world-class technology

Most of the filming took place on sound stages in Mumbai. Given the story's flying palaces, demon armies and mythical creatures, the production relies heavily on computer-generated imagery. Yash, who also serves as a co-producer, has said he has never before worked on a project involving such an enormous volume of visual effects.

The dubbing technology has also attracted particular attention. For the international release, the filmmakers have used artificial intelligence to synchronize the actors' lip movements and facial expressions with the English-language dialogue. However, as Malhotra emphasized, the performers' voices were not generated by AI: the actors recorded their lines in English themselves, while artificial intelligence and motion-capture technology helped adapt their on-screen articulation.

Another key objective is to present the film not simply as a Bollywood production, but as a nationwide Indian project. That is why the cast includes performers from different linguistic and regional film industries across the country.

“Ramayana is the story of every Indian,” Malhotra explained.

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