Ramayana Isn’t Just a Film, It’s a War-Yash Sparks Storm with ₹200 Crore Fee!

Entertainment News: Bollywood’s cinematic ambitions have exploded with ‘Ramayana’, which is set to become India’s most expensive film franchise ever. Sources close to producer Namit Malhotra confirm a staggering ₹1600 crore spend. With this budget, India could have made 20 films like Taare Zameen Par. This figure easily beats previous mega-budget films like Kalki 2898 AD (₹600 crore), RRR (₹550 crore), and Adipurush (₹550 crore). The franchise will span two parts, with iconic casting and visual grandeur at its core. Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, Sai Pallavi, and Sunny Deol lead the ensemble. The sheer scale positions Ramayana as a global-level production from Indian cinema.

First Look Raised Expectations

The teaser video recently dropped online has sparked fan frenzy across social media. Ranbir’s transformation as Lord Ram and Sai Pallavi’s glimpse as Sita have gone viral. The film’s mythological depth, coupled with rich VFX work, has built immense anticipation. Viewers are comparing its aesthetics to international epics like Lord of the Rings. Earlier, Indian cinema has seen grandeur, but never on this scale. The teaser does not show much but promises unmatched production value. Expectations are now sky-high for both the story execution and the visual finesse.

Part One Costs ₹900 Crore

The first part of Ramayana alone is expected to cost ₹900 crore, according to Bollywood Hungama. The second part will require an additional ₹700 crore. However, this does not include print and advertising expenses. Marketing and distribution are likely to push the total well beyond ₹1600 crore. With such a gigantic financial risk, success depends heavily on storytelling and global appeal. The franchise is being treated like a unified project with long-term vision. The makers are investing not just in spectacle but cultural immortality.

Lower Budget For Part Two

Why is Part Two cheaper? Insiders say the first part involves massive world-building and character design. Those assets will be reused in the sequel. Only new action sequences will require fresh investment. The same sets, costumes, and core characters will save crores in development. Producer Namit Malhotra wants the entire franchise to be budget-optimized across installments. Hence, the reduced cost of the second part makes financial sense. Such modular planning reflects Hollywood-style film engineering rarely seen in India.

Sky-High Actor Salaries Revealed

Lead actor Ranbir Kapoor is charging ₹150 crore for both parts—₹75 crore per film. Sai Pallavi, playing Sita, will receive ₹12 crore in total. Sunny Deol and Yash are also part of the cast, with fees yet to be officially confirmed. However, reports hint that Yash may charge ₹200 crore to play Ravan, making him the highest-paid actor in the film. These salaries contribute significantly to the film’s jaw-dropping budget. The cast’s popularity is being seen as a major asset to ensure box office success.

Marketing Yet To Be Counted

Interestingly, the ₹1600 crore budget does not cover promotional and release expenditures. Print, digital campaigns, and event-based marketing can add hundreds of crores more. The team reportedly plans to target not just Indian audiences, but global ones, with dubbed versions and overseas promotions. International VFX teams are already collaborating with Indian studios. This global pitch could redefine how Indian mythology is consumed worldwide. The success of Ramayana might open the gates for more mythological IPs.

Release Timeline Announced

The franchise will unfold in two parts—Part 1 during Diwali 2026 and Part 2 by Diwali 2027. Director Nitesh Tiwari is crafting the saga with precision and cinematic flair. Visual effects, extensive pre-production, and casting were completed after years of development. With Diwali releases, the producers are aiming for peak box office traction. The festival window adds strategic advantage to recoup the mammoth investment. This project could rewrite the financial dynamics of Indian cinema.