Ranbir Kapoor-Sai Pallavi’s Ramayana is definitely one of the most anticipated films this year. Releasing in Diwali, the Nitesh Tiwari-directed magnum opus has been split into two parts. While the first instalment is ready to hit cinemas, India Today has learnt that the shooting for the second has also begun in Mumbai.
A source close to the film shared that Ranbir has already begun work on the second part, which will be based on the story after Sita’s abduction. Sunny Deol, who plays Lord Hanuman in the film, will also be joining the shoot over the weekend.
“It is an almost two-month schedule with some really heavy-duty action and drama planned. The story will move towards Lord Ram’s journey towards Lanka, and the filmmakers have already built lavish sets for the same. There are also a lot of scenes between Lord Ram and Lord Hanuman, and the two actors will be filming those,” the source added.
Sunny Deol is currently filming for Excel Entertainment’s next, directed by AR Murugadoss, while Ranbir was working on Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love and War, with Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal. Apart from them, Ravie Dubey, who plays Lakshman, and Yash as Ravan, will also be part of the schedule.
Ramayana: Part I first-cut screened in Los Angeles 9 months before release
Earlier this week, a rough cut of Ramayana: Part I was shown to a select audience in Los Angeles, offering a glimpse of the much-anticipated epic ahead of its scheduled Diwali release. The screening took place at the Cinemark Playa Vista theatre, with attendees ranging from 18 to 60 years old.
According to a report in The Week, initial reactions from the audience have been very positive, with many praising the film’s scale, visual effects, and storytelling.
The version screened was only a first cut, intended as a test rather than the final release. The film is expected to continue evolving, with feedback from this screening guiding further edits.
Producer Namit Malhotra has reportedly invested around Rs 4,000 crore into the project, and intends to make it India’s biggest film. He has also promised to give audiences an international-level experience with the film being shot specifically for IMAX.
Ramayana: Part 2 is scheduled for a 2027 release.
