Makers of Ranbir Kapoor and Yash's 'Ramayana' Discuss Retelling the Epic with A.R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer's Score
Producer Namit Malhotra and director Nitesh Tiwari open up about bringing the ancient Indian epic to the global screen with a first-time collaboration between music legends A.R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer, backed by Amazon Music and T-Series.
Published 5 November 2026
Bringing the Epic to Global Screens
The cinematic adaptation of the ancient Indian epic titled 'Ramayana Part 1' arrives worldwide on November 5. Producer Namit Malhotra explained that this ambitious project only moved forward once the necessary filmmaking experience, talent, and visual effects capabilities were fully established.
The production is a collaborative effort between Malhotra's Prime Focus Studios and Yash's Monster Mind Creations, with visual effects handled by DNEG and its sister company ReDefine. Malhotra emphasized that telling this story carries immense responsibility given its cultural significance.
Directing the Characters and Drama
Helmed by director Nitesh Tiwari, known for 'Dangal' and 'Chhichhore', the first of the two planned films features Ranbir Kapoor as Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Yash as the king of Lanka, Ravana. Tiwari focused heavily on the intimate relationships, difficult choices, and raw emotions of the characters rather than relying solely on the grandeur of the setting.
Because the overarching plot points of the source material are familiar to millions of viewers, Tiwari noted that the dramatic weight relies on authentic human interactions. He aimed to make every scene feel immediate and truthful so that audiences experience the emotional journey rather than just recognizing familiar events.
A Historic Musical Collaboration
Music serves as a core pillar of the production, uniting acclaimed composers A.R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer on an Indian film project for the very first time. Malhotra stated that there was never a backup plan, desiring a fresh sound that merges familiar emotional resonance with contemporary melodies.
The orchestral score was recorded at AIR Studios in London, uniting Indian and Western musicians to craft a soundscape designed to travel across borders. T-Series acts as the music label, working alongside the filmmakers to curate the release strategy.
Strategic Musical Rollout and Singles
The filmmakers planned out distinct release windows for individual tracks to build early audience engagement before the film's theatrical debut. The first single, titled 'Jai Jai Ram', arrived on September 14 to coincide with the Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebrations.
Tiwari collaborated closely with the music and marketing teams to ensure that the visual framing of each song introduces viewers to the film's emotional core without spoiling the narrative surprises reserved for the cinema.
Amazon Music's Streaming Partnership
Amazon Music partnered with the production as the exclusive music streaming platform, aiming to make Indian film albums break on a global scale. Rishabh Gupta, general manager of Amazon Music India, noted that the streamer launched a dedicated destination for the album featuring four new playlists named after characters from the epic.
As part of the promotional push, the platform hosted a live celebration at the Chennai Trade Centre on October 21 where Rahman performed tracks live alongside Kapoor, Pallavi, and Yash. Additionally, a short-form video series titled 'Decoding Ramayana with A.R. Rahman' is being rolled out across Instagram and YouTube.
Looking Ahead to Part Two
Looking toward the future of the franchise, Malhotra hopes the music will maintain the emotional connection with audiences during the interval leading up to the second installment. The strategy relies on listeners keeping the soundtrack in rotation so they return to theaters feeling deeply connected to the world.
Bhushan Kumar of T-Series echoed these sentiments, expressing hope that the collaborative soundtrack will transcend the cinematic release to become a lasting cultural and emotional experience for multiple generations.
News Overview
The makers of 'Ramayana Part 1' discussed their vision for adapting the classic epic for global audiences ahead of its November 5 worldwide release. The production features star-length performances from Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, and Yash under the direction of Nitesh Tiwari, complemented by a historic musical collaboration between A.R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer.
Key facts
- Ramayana Part 1 opens worldwide on November 5
- Namit Malhotra is the founder and CEO of DNEG and Prime Focus Studios
- Nitesh Tiwari previously directed Dangal and Chhichhore
- Ranbir Kapoor plays Rama, Sai Pallavi plays Sita, and Yash plays Ravana
- A.R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer are collaborating on an Indian film for the first time
- The first single Jai Jai Ram arrived on September 14 for Ganesh Chaturthi
- Amazon Music hosted an event at the Chennai Trade Centre on October 21