Nitesh Tiwari’s long-awaited Ramayana trailer has finally arrived, offering the most detailed look yet at Ranbir Kapoor as Rama, Yash as Ravana and Sai Pallavi as Sita in one of Indian cinema’s most ambitious mythological productions.
Released worldwide on July 30, nearly four-minute trailer moves from royal celebration and family betrayal to exile, abduction and the beginnings of a war that will determine the fate of kingdoms.
Rama and Ravana dominate the trailer
The film’s central contrast is immediately clear. Ranbir Kapoor’s Rama is presented through restraint, duty and compassion, while Yash’s Ravana embodies pride, ambition and physical menace. Their confrontation is not shown in full, but the trailer repeatedly cuts between the two men to establish the moral and emotional conflict at the centre of the story.
Yash has emerged as one of the biggest talking points following the trailer launch. His imposing appearance, dialogue delivery and action scenes have drawn widespread praise online, with several viewers saying Ravana dominates the footage. Reactions to Ranbir have been more divided, although many have appreciated the serenity and controlled strength he brings to Rama.
From Sita’s wedding to the call for war
The trailer appears to cover a broad portion of the epic’s first major narrative movement. It includes glimpses of Rama and Sita’s union, the political turmoil in Ayodhya, Kaikeyi’s intervention, Dasharatha’s grief and Rama’s 14-year exile with Sita and Lakshmana.
The tone then shifts dramatically as Surpanakha enters the story and Ravana abducts Sita. The final stretch expands into armies, supernatural creatures and battlefield imagery, signalling that Part 1 will build towards the larger rescue mission and conflict with Lanka.
Sai Pallavi’s Sita is presented with tenderness and quiet resilience. Ravie Dubey appears as Lakshmana, Arun Govil as Dasharatha, Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi and Rakul Preet Singh as Surpanakha.
WATCH HERE: RAMAYANA TRAILER
Where is Sunny Deol’s Hanuman?
One of the trailer’s most discussed omissions is Sunny Deol. Although the actor has officially been announced as Hanuman, he does not make a recognisable appearance in the four-minute video. His absence immediately prompted questions from fans, particularly because the trailer reaches the stage where Rama’s search for Sita is beginning.
The decision may be part of a separate character-reveal strategy, but the makers have not officially explained it. Reports claiming that the team is saving Hanuman for a later promotional event should therefore be treated as unconfirmed.
Viewers notice improved VFX
Visual effects have remained one of the film’s biggest areas of scrutiny since the first footage appeared. Following the trailer launch, viewers noted more natural colour grading, greater environmental detail and redesigned appearances for several rakshasa characters. The reactions suggest that the final trailer has been received more positively than some earlier promotional visuals.
However, there has been no official statement confirming that these changes were specifically made because of online criticism.
The visual-effects work is being led by DNEG, the international studio whose credits include multiple Academy Award-winning productions. DNEG has also confirmed that the film brings together action specialists and production designers with experience on films such as Mad Max: Fury Road, Planet of the Apes and Dune: Part Two.
Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman join forces
The trailer’s music is another major attraction. Ramayana marks the first collaboration between Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman, two Academy Award-winning composers with distinct musical identities. Their partnership gives the film an unusual combination of symphonic spectacle, Indian devotional influences and global blockbuster scale.
The final section of the trailer uses choral music and escalating percussion to transform Rama’s personal loss into the promise of an epic war.
A reported ₹4,000 crore cinematic gamble
The two films have widely been described as carrying a combined budget of around ₹4,000 crore, approximately $500 million. Producer Namit Malhotra has spoken publicly about the enormous scale of the project, although the figure has not been supported by a publicly available audited production statement.
Even as a reported estimate, the number positions Ramayana among the costliest productions associated with Indian cinema. Sony Pictures Entertainment is handling international distribution outside India, giving the film access to a wider global theatrical network. Dharma Productions has been associated with distribution in North India.
When will Ramayana be released?
Ramayana: Part 1 is officially scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release during Diwali 2026, with Part 2 planned for Diwali 2027. The films have been promoted as being created for IMAX presentation.
Although November 8 has circulated as a possible date, available official trailer material currently promotes the broader Diwali 2026 window. Different secondary sources list conflicting dates, so audiences should wait for a final territory-wise confirmation from the studio.
With its enormous cast, global technical team and culturally significant source material, Ramayana carries expectations far beyond those surrounding an ordinary blockbuster. The trailer shows that the makers are aiming not merely to retell the epic, but to position it as a large-format global cinematic event.
Whether the full film can balance visual scale with emotional depth will become clear during Diwali 2026. For now, the battle between Ranbir Kapoor’s Rama and Yash’s Ravana has successfully become one of the year’s biggest entertainment conversations.
