Director Nitesh Tiwari's rumored adaptation of the Hindu epic Ramayana starring Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi is gearing up to become to the most expensive Indian film to date.
The initial installment of what is envisioned as a franchise is budgeted at Rs 835 crores.
However, there is no official confirmation regarding its production status or cast details yet
"Ramayana is not just a film but an emotion, and the makers are sparing no effort to make it a global spectacle," a source close to the project revealed. Namit Malhotra, founder of Prime Focus Limited and CEO of its subsidiary DNEG, is reported to be one of the producers of the project.
According to the insider, Malhotra aims to elevate Indian cinema to global heights with this endeavor. "The $100 Million [Rs 835 crore] budget is just for Ramayana: Part One. He plans to expand this further as the franchise grows. The idea is to take the audience on a visual treat with Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram. The film requires 600 days of post-production work, which in itself speaks volumes about the investment required to create some of the most original visuals on the spectacle. The idea is to take Indian Cinema at a global level," they added.
DNEG had previously announced Kannada superstar Yash and his production company Monster Mind Creations joining the project. "By joining forces to co-produce Ramayana, we are bringing together our collective vision and experience to create an Indian film that will ignite excitement and passion in audiences across the world," Yash stated.
Malhotra expressed pride in the collaboration, emphasizing the aim to share Indian culture and storytelling with a global audience. "I am incredibly proud of what we are creating, and I cannot wait for the world to experience the very best of Indian culture and storytelling on cinema screens across the globe," he added.
Recently, leaked photos purportedly from the film's sets featuring Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi went viral on social media, further fueling anticipation for the epic adaptation.