New Delhi: Nitesh Tiwari’s much-awaited Ramayana is being planned as a massive cinematic spectacle for audiences in India and across the world. However,
viewers outside India may not see exactly the same version of the film as Indian audiences.
According to reports, the English version of Ramayana will be around 30 minutes shorter than the Hindi cut. The international version is also expected to be released without songs, making it noticeably different from the versions being prepared for Indian audiences.
Why will the English version of Ramayana be shorter?
The makers are reportedly tailoring the international cut of Ramayana to suit overseas theatrical audiences. Instead of simply dubbing the Hindi version into English, the global release is being shaped as a more concise film. Some portions and scenes are expected to be trimmed, while the songs will reportedly be removed completely. This will make the English-language version considerably shorter than the Hindi cut.
For Indian viewers, however, music will continue to be an important part of the film. The Hindi and other Indian-language versions are expected to retain the songs and musical sequences. The makers have already started building anticipation around the soundtrack with Jai Jai Ram, composed by A.R. Rahman. The song features Arijit Singh and Shreya Ghoshal on vocals, with lyrics penned by Kumar Vishwas.
Ramayana is being made for a global audience
The decision to create different cuts comes as Ramayana aims to reach audiences well beyond India. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra and Yash, the two-part saga has reportedly been mounted on a combined budget of around Rs 4,000 crore. The film is being developed on an international scale, with DNEG handling its visual effects. It is also being prepared for premium theatrical formats, including IMAX.
When will Ramayana release?
Ramayana is planned as a two-part theatrical franchise. The first part is scheduled for a worldwide release on November 6, 2026, while the second part is slated to arrive during Diwali 2027.
The film will be released in major Indian languages, including Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada. At the same time, the makers are working on a wider international rollout.
Producer Namit Malhotra has previously spoken about plans to localise Ramayana for international markets, including English, Spanish and Japanese. The makers are also looking at technology that can retain the original performances of the actors instead of depending entirely on conventional dubbing. The international strategy reportedly includes markets such as Japan, China and Spanish-speaking territories.
The cast features Ranbir Kapoor as Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Ravi Dubey as Lakshmana and Sunny Deol as Hanuman. Several other prominent actors are also part of the ensemble in pivotal roles.
