Ramayana Set Design Revealed: From Surpanakha's Chariot to Ravana's Throne
Art director Ramesh breaks down the massive scale of the mythological epic, revealing the incredible costs and painstaking efforts behind building Lanka's physical sets.
Published 6 November 2026
Massive Scale and Production Design
The upcoming mythological film Ramayana has generated immense excitement not just for its star-studded cast, but for its jaw-dropping visual scale. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the production has spared no expense in creating an immersive cinematic world. The scale of the project is evident in its heavy reliance on physical set construction rather than leaning solely on green screens for its grand sequences.
Building Lanka: A Massive Undertaking
According to the film's art director, Ramesh, bringing the mythical kingdom of Lanka to life required an army of workers. A massive team of 500 to 600 people was deployed to construct the sets. In total, over 150 different sets were created specifically for the movie to ensure the world felt authentic and deeply grounded.
Intricate Design Process at Film City
Set construction officially kicked off in April 2024 at Prime Focus Studios located in Mumbai's Film City. The creative process was exceptionally rigorous, with every single structure undergoing anywhere from 10 to 15 design changes. The makers focused heavily on tangible details such as authentic floor textures, intricate wall designs, and rich gold embellishments.
The Cost and Craft of Ravana's Throne
Among the many physical assets built for the film, Ravana's throne stands out as the most expensive single piece. The grand structure took four months to build and cost approximately Rs 1 crore. It was meticulously moulded in fibre over a clay base and finished with authentic 24-carat gold leafing.
Surpanakha's Chariot and Other Key Props
Another standout prop was Surpanakha's chariot, which was valued at approximately Rs 1.5 crore and took three months to manufacture. Additionally, the production constructed a massive 24-foot-tall skeleton model of Jatayu to assist performers with their dialogues, alongside a 50-foot Pushpak Viman built across four separate modules over a period of 40 to 50 days.
Cast and Crew Behind the Epic
Helmed by director Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Yash as Ravana, and Sai Pallavi as Sita. Sunny Deol also appears as Hanuman, leading an expected sequel slated for 2028. The film is jointly produced by Namit Malhotra's Prime Focus Studios and Yash's Monster Mind Creations.
News Overview
Art director Ramesh revealed that Ramayana involved building over 150 physical sets requiring a workforce of hundreds of people. The extensive design process included high-cost items like a Rs 1.5 crore chariot and a Rs 1 crore gold-leafed throne for Yash's character. The Nitesh Tiwari directorial is produced by Prime Focus Studios and Monster Mind Creations with a prominent ensemble cast.
Key facts
- Over 150 sets were created for the film Ramayana.
- Set construction at Prime Focus Studios in Mumbai's Film City commenced in April 2024.
- Ravana's throne cost approximately Rs 1 crore and took four months to build.
- Surpanakha's chariot cost approximately Rs 1.5 crore and took three months to make.
- A team of 500 to 600 people built Lanka's set.
- A 24-foot-tall skeleton model of Jatayu was created.
- A 50-foot Pushpak Viman was constructed in four separate modules over 40 to 50 days.
- Ramayana is directed by Nitesh Tiwari.
- Ranbir Kapoor plays Lord Rama, Yash plays Ravana, and Sai Pallavi plays Sita.