MUMBAI: Director Nitesh Tiwari's much-awaited Indian film adaptation of the Hindu epic Ramayana is now one of the most anticipated projects, even though no official word has been given regarding its cast or production status. Moviegoers and fans have been anxiously searching social media platforms for more details on Tiwari's upcoming project since rumors first circulated that the film would star Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor and South icon Sai Pallavi as Lord Ram and Goddess Sita, respectively.
Nevertheless, a new report has emerged claiming that the project is being planned as a franchise, with the first part being budgeted at a jaw-dropping $100 million, approximately Rs 835 crore, making it the costliest Indian film of all time.
“Ramayana is not just a film but an emotion and the makers are leaving no stone unturned to make it a global spectacle,” the popular news portal quoted a source close to the project as saying. According to reports, Namit Malhotra, founder and non-executive director of Prime Focus Limited and CEO of its British-Indian subsidiary DNEG, is one of the producers of the project.
The source further revealed to the popular entertainment portal that Malhotra is leveraging all his global experience to make this a true spectacle. “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.
A month ago, DNEG had released a statement on its official website, following the publication of an article on Variety, announcing that Kannada superstar Yash and his production company Monster Mind Creations were joining the team creating Ramayana.
“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. Ramayana is woven into the fabric of our lives. We believe we know it well, yet each encounter unveils fresh wisdom, ignites new knowledge, and offers unique perspectives. This is a journey to share the Ramayana with the world, a testament to our commitment to creative exploration, bold visions and honest storytelling,” Yash said.
“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. In Yash, I recognize a similar aspiration to share the best of our culture with the world. Inspired by his journey from Karnataka to the incredible international success of K.G.F: Chapter 2, I can’t think of a better partner to help create a major global impact with this, the greatest of all our stories,” Malhotra added.
A few images that were allegedly leaked from the movie's sets recently appeared online and quickly gained popularity on social media. The photos showed Sai Pallavi and Ranbir Kapoor dressed as though they were from the Ramayana, complete with makeup and costumes.
Also read: Sakshi Tanwar refutes rumours of being approached for Nitesh Tiwari's 'Ramayana'
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Credits – The Indian Express
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