Nitesh Tiwari’s 'Ramayana' is being hailed as the most expensive Indian film ever made, though its exact budget remains unverified. Namit Malhotra, the head of VFX studio DNEG, has joined as a producer for the film. In an interview with Hindustan Times, he shares his vision for how the film could transform the Indian film industry.
Ramayana producer on taking Indian cinema to global stage
With DNEG, Namit has won seven Oscars for Best Visual Effects, working on groundbreaking films like ‘Interstellar’ and ‘Dune’. There have been several adaptations of the Ramayana on the big screen, with the most recent, ‘Adipurush’, receiving criticism and failing at the box office. Namit Malhotra stresses that his team is committed to telling the story with integrity.
"That's why we're trying to be very careful and cautious, that we do it with the utmost care and with the utmost sensitivity. Because, right, you know, this opportunity does not come again and again, and it's the moment for India right now," he said.
Namit explains that the goal with Ramayana is to elevate Indian storytelling on the global stage. "I'm keen to not just make India proud but excite the world about Indian storytelling and really celebrate global cinema together. It's not like we don't like Hollywood films. It's not like we don't see an Oppenheimer and have a great feeling, or a Forest Gump, or any of these, you know, landmark films. Their stories are universal. I believe this is universal too. This is that opportunity that I believe I'm pretty fortunate to have received in my life, and I hope I can deliver," he says.
About Ramayana
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, ‘Ramayana’ stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Yash as Ravana. The impressive cast also includes Ravi Dubey, Lara Dutta, Sheeba Chaddha, and Arun Govil. The epic film will be released in two parts, with the first set to hit theaters in 2026 and the second in 2027.