Ramayana Part 1 releases in cinemas worldwide on 5 November 2026, days ahead of the Diwali weekend. The film arrives after months of steady attention from fans and trade watchers, and its opening now gives audiences in India and overseas their first chance to see the large scale retelling on the big screen. Distributor Sony Pictures is handling the release, and the film is playing in IMAX and other premium formats alongside regular screens.
The timing puts the film in front of viewers just before one of the busiest cinema periods of the year in India. Families often plan cinema trips around Diwali, and a release on 5 November gives the film the full festive weekend to build word of mouth among holiday audiences.
Ramayana Part 1 was originally set for a later opening. The domestic release was moved forward from 8 November, and the overseas release was moved forward from 6 November, so that audiences in all markets can see the film on the same day. A single worldwide date also limits the gap between the Indian opening and screenings abroad, which matters for a film with a large diaspora audience.
Ramayana Part 1 cast and crew
Nitesh Tiwari directs the film. Ranbir Kapoor plays Rama, and he also plays Parashurama, a second role that has drawn a lot of discussion since the casting was confirmed. Yash plays Ravana, Sai Pallavi plays Sita, Ravi Dubey plays Lakshman, Sunny Deol plays Hanuman, and Rakul Preet plays Surpanakha. The cast brings together actors from Hindi cinema and from other Indian film industries, which matches the plan to reach viewers in several languages.
Producer Namit Malhotra is backing Ramayana Part 1 through Prime Focus Studios, together with Yash’s Monster Mind Creations. The production has been built around large sets and visual effects work, and the film is planned as the first part of a two part retelling, with Part 2 expected in the same festive period next year.
Ramayana Part 1 is releasing in Hindi and English, along with other Indian languages. That language plan is central to how the makers have positioned the film. The release covers multiple language markets from day one, and the cast reflects that spread across industries.
Ramayana Part 1 premiere and early buzz
The film premiered in Mumbai on 3 November, two days before its worldwide release. Alia Bhatt and Neetu Kapoor were among those who attended the premiere, and photographs and clips from the event spread quickly on social media.
Actor Allu Arjun added to the buzz around Ramayana Part 1 on 4 November, when he posted a message of support for the film. Posts from fellow actors carry weight in the run up to a big release, and his message was shared widely by fans of both actors. It also underlined how closely the industry itself has been watching this release, given the scale of the project and the names attached to it.
Ranbir Kapoor also spoke to the BBC ahead of release, in an interview that covered artificial intelligence and fatherhood. The conversation gave audiences a different view of the actor beyond the role itself, and it was picked up by entertainment outlets in the days before opening. The BBC interview stood out because of the range of topics it covered.
Ramayana Part 1 release plan and formats
IMAX and premium format screenings are a key part of the release plan. Large format screens suit a film built around scale, and format choice is now presented as part of the cinema experience itself for big event films. The film is playing in regular, IMAX and premium formats from opening day.
For viewers, the details of Ramayana Part 1 are simple. The film opens worldwide on 5 November 2026, in Hindi, English and other Indian languages. The makers have kept the focus on the first part for now, even as Part 2 is already on the calendar for the same festive period next year.
That two part structure means the story told in this opening film is only the start, and how audiences respond in the first weekend will shape the conversation around the follow up. The opening weekend will be watched closely by the trade, by exhibitors and by fans who have followed the project since its casting was announced.
Ramayana Part 1 now faces its first real test, which is the response of paying audiences in cinemas. Advance buzz, a high profile premiere and support from peers can only carry a film so far. The opening days will show whether the retelling connects with viewers across languages and age groups, and whether the festive timing helps it hold screens into the second week. The film opens worldwide on 5 November 2026.