What is the story about?
Nitesh Tiwari's much-awaited Ramayana: Part One, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Yash and Sai Pallavi, is reportedly being worked on in different versions for
Indian and international audiences. The Hindi and other Indian language cuts are expected to retain the film's songs and musical numbers, but the English version may be around 30 minutes shorter. A report by Variety India said that the English cut will be a tighter edit with some scenes trimmed to suit international viewing preferences. The version is also expected to have no songs, a big difference between the Indian and overseas theatrical releases of the film.
Why is the English version shorter?
The decision to prepare separate cuts is thought to be linked to different viewing habits in the different markets. Indian audiences are used to longer theatrical films, generally around three-hour-or-longer duration that includes songs as part of the storytelling experience. However, the makers apparently believe that a more streamlined version may have wider appeal overseas. Hence, some portions of the Hindi version may be shortened or omitted in the English version.
An insider has reportedly said that Indian audiences are used to watching longer movies with songs, and that the same format might not be as popular with viewers around the world. The international edit will therefore likely have a faster-paced storyline. The report claims that the main story of Ramayana: Part One is unaltered. The difference will be the length of the presentation and the inclusion of musical sequences.
Songs to stay in Indian language versions
The English cut will reportedly have no songs, but the musical portions will remain an important part of the Hindi and other Indian language versions. The film's music has created a lot of buzz, especially because it is a collaboration between Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman and renowned Hollywood composer Hans Zimmer. The music and the background score of the film are expected to largely enrich the emotional and visual scale of the film.
The songs might not be essential for the main plot to progress, but they are very likely to add cultural and emotional depth to the Indian theatrical experience. Their absence in the English edition suggests the authors are using different approaches to music for different markets.
The separate cuts also show that the makers are not just dubbing the Hindi version for the international audience. Instead, they seem to be changing how the film is shown to fit the expectations of viewers in different regions.
Ramayana cast and crew
Ramayana: Part One, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana. Ravi Dubey will play Lakshman and Rakul Preet Singh will play Surpanakha. Kunal Kapoor will be seen as Indra. The film also stars Lara Dutta, Vivek Oberoi, Arun Govil, Sheeba Chadha, and Sunny Deol as Hanuman will enter the franchise reportedly in its second part.
The film is produced by Namit Malhotra and is backed by Prime Focus and DNEG. The project is being staged as a two-part cinematic spectacle, with elaborate special effects and action on a grand scale. The makers also released an English trailer, in a process reportedly developed through a bespoke AI-assisted workflow that synchronises actors' performances with English dialog and lip movements.
Earlier, Ranbir had revealed that the two-part saga will be almost six hours long and will feature epic visuals and action, while delving into themes of family, duty, love and the triumph of good over evil. However, the official runtime has not yet been confirmed.
Ramayana: Part One is slated to open in theatres worldwide in November 2026. The film is said to release for international audiences on November 5, with preview screenings to start on November 4. In India, the film is expected to release around November 8 during the Diwali period. It will be followed by its Part Two on Diwali 2027.
