The much-awaited trailer of Nitesh Tiwari’s “Ramayana” has finally been released, offering audiences their first comprehensive look at one of India’s most ambitious cinematic projects. Backed by producer Namit Malhotra, the over four-minute trailer showcases a visually rich retelling of the epic, featuring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama and Yash in a commanding portrayal of Ravana.
Released during the auspicious Brahma Muhurat at 4.15 am on July 30, the trailer was shared with the tagline, “The Ramayana Trailer. This is where the EPIC BEGINS.” Within hours, the Hindi version crossed 3.5 million views on YouTube, while the dubbed versions in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada also attracted significant viewership.
Epic Battle Comes Alive
The trailer opens with Ravana’s rise to power before shifting to the kingdom of Ayodhya, where Ranbir Kapoor is introduced as Lord Rama. Dressed in simple saffron robes before transforming into the warrior prince, Kapoor’s portrayal highlights Rama’s journey from a compassionate prince to the defender of righteousness.
Sai Pallavi makes a graceful appearance as Sita, sharing emotional moments with Rama before the story moves towards their exile. Ravi Dubey is seen as the devoted Lakshmana, standing firmly beside his brother throughout the journey.
Yash’s Ravana Dominates the Screen
While the trailer features several key characters, it is Yash’s portrayal of Ravana that has generated the biggest buzz. Clad in elaborate golden armour with an imposing screen presence, the KGF star presents a version of Ravana that appears both regal and intimidating.
The trailer positions Ravana as the central antagonist, building anticipation for the epic confrontation between good and evil that forms the heart of the Ramayana.
Grand Visuals and World-Class VFX
The film promises a large-scale cinematic experience with sweeping visuals of Ayodhya, Lanka’s magnificent golden kingdom, gigantic battle sequences, mythical creatures and breathtaking landscapes.
The visual effects, created by DNEG, blend extensive CGI with live-action sequences to recreate the ancient world on an unprecedented scale. The trailer hints at several emotional and action-packed moments while avoiding major story spoilers.
Vivek Oberoi Surprises Fans
One of the trailer’s biggest talking points is Vivek Oberoi’s brief but impactful appearance as Vidyutjihva, the demon prince and husband of Shurpanakha, played by Rakul Preet Singh.
His intense confrontation with Ravana has already sparked discussions among fans, with many expecting the sequence to play a crucial role in Ravana’s rise to power.
Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman Elevate the Experience
The background score by Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman adds another layer of grandeur to the trailer. The collaboration between the two Oscar-winning composers delivers a powerful musical backdrop that enhances both the emotional scenes and large-scale battle sequences.
Multilingual Global Release Planned
The trailer has been launched simultaneously in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada, reflecting the film’s pan-India appeal.
According to reports, the makers also plan to release the film in 40-50 international languages using AI-powered lip-sync and voice technology developed by DNEG. The technology is expected to synchronise actors’ lip movements with translated dialogue, reducing reliance on conventional dubbing and subtitles.
Star-Studded Cast
“Ramayana” features an ensemble cast including Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman and Ravi Dubey as Lakshmana.
The film also stars Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi, Rakul Preet Singh as Shurpanakha, Kajal Aggarwal as Mandodari, Arun Govil as King Dashrath, Vivek Oberoi as Vidyutjihva, Kunal Kapoor as Lord Indra, Adinath Kothare as Bharata, while Anupam Kher lends his voice to Jatayu.
Mounted on a reported budget of around Rs 4,000 crore, “Ramayana” is among the most expensive Indian films ever made and is expected to be one of the biggest releases of the coming year.