Ramayana: A $100 Million Bet On Mythology: Nitesh Tiwari’s two-part adaptation of Valmiki’s epic carries a reported budget in the neighborhood of $100 million, with some Indian reports placing it closer to Rs 40 billion. Producers and journalists alike have reached for comparisons to The Lord of the Rings and Avatar to describe its ambition and visual scale
1. Ranbir Kapoor Is Playing Two Gods, Not One
Kapoor headlines the film as Lord Rama, but he confirmed at a Los Angeles event that he is also taking on a second role, portraying Lord Parshuram, another avatar of Vishnu. It marks his third double role after Shamshera and Animal. Sources say the studio designed Parshuram’s look to be distinct and unrecognizable.
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2. Amitabh Bachchan Lends His Voice, And His Eyes, To Jatayu
In what industry watchers are calling a symbolic passing of the torch, veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan voices the divine bird Jatayu in a cameo role. Bachchan has long been associated with India’s mythological storytelling tradition on screen and off it. For this role, filmmakers scanned his eyes specifically to enhance Jatayu’s visual effects.
3. Sai Pallavi Steps Into Sita For Her First Major Hindi Role
Sai Pallavi, known primarily for her work in South Indian cinema, plays Goddess Sita opposite Kapoor. This marks her first major appearance in a Hindi film. Reports describe her bringing a natural, understated acting style to the role, a contrast filmmakers are counting on to give the epic fresh emotional texture.
4. Ranbir Trained For Over A Year, And Gave Up Meat To Do It
Ramayana: Preparing to play Rama was not just a matter of rehearsing lines. Kapoor reportedly spent close to a year training physically for the role, including archery sessions with a dedicated coach, and gave up meat during the filming schedule. Director Nitesh Tiwari has been candid about the pressure this casting carried, telling one interviewer there was nobody better suited to manage of a billion people watching.
