Ramayana: Part One, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi and Yash released in theatres on November 5, and the work on the second part of the film is already well underway. Cinematographer Pankaj Kumar has
revealed that around 60 per cent of Ramayana Part 2 has already been shot. However, there’s still plenty left to do, particularly when it comes to the film’s extensive visual effects and motion-capture work.
Cinematographer Pankaj Kumar Shares Ramayana Part 2 Update
In a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter India, cinematographer Pankaj Kumar opened up about the scale of the sequel, revealing that the second instalment is going to be even grander than the first. With more computer-generated characters, including Hanuman and the entire vanar sena (monkey army), the VFX team has a massive task ahead.
Sharing an update about Ramayana Part 2, the cinematographer said, “We have already shot about 60 per cent of Part 2. A lot of VFX work, a lot of motion capture work is left because the second part is going to be more grand than the first part. It has a lot more CG characters, like Hanuman and the whole vanar sena. A lot more details need to be worked on,” he said.
Pankaj Kumar On Ramayana’s Visual Treatment
Ramayana’s visual world has also sparked conversations among viewers, particularly its depiction of forests, trees and natural surroundings. Some have wondered why these elements have a more fantastical appearance instead of looking entirely true to life.
Reacting to this, Pankaj Kumar explained that the intention was never to recreate a real forest on screen. The idea was to build a world that feels larger than life and complements the story.
“See, if we shot Ramayana in a real jungle, the world would look very real, but maybe that’s not what we’re looking for. We want our world to look more enhanced, better than the real forest. For the forests that Ram and Lakshman are walking in to fight demons, realistic trees in the jungle may not give us that larger-than-life experience, with giant monsters attacking and our characters swinging from one tree to the other. Where is realism in that? There is no realism in that. You are giving a fantasy world to the audience. So why be a stickler for realistic-looking leaves or branches? It’s just a different medium of expressing yourself,” he said.
About Ramayana
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana is planned as a two-part cinematic adaptation of the Indian epic. The first instalment, Ramayana: Part 1, released in theatres on November 5, 2026, while the second part was initially scheduled for 2027. However, producer Namit Malhotra has now confirmed that Ramayana Part 2 has been pushed to 2028.
In an interview with E! News, Malhotra explained that the team wanted an additional year to do justice to the film’s scale. He said, “That extra year is what I genuinely believe we need to do justice for a film of this size.”
Who Plays What In Ramayana Part One?
Ramayana: Part One stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana. Ravie Dubey plays Lakshman, while Sunny Deol is cast as Lord Hanuman. The supporting cast includes Arun Govil as King Dasharatha, Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi, Indira Krishnan as Kaushalya, Kajal Aggarwal as Mandodari and Rakul Preet Singh as Surpanakha.
Other actors in the ensemble include Vivek Oberoi as Vidyutjihva, Faisal Malik as Kumbhkarna, Harish Uthaman as Vibhishana, Kunal Kapoor as Lord Indra and Anupam Kher, who lends his voice to Jatayu.
What To Expect In Ramayana Part 2?
Part 2 is expected to focus on the events leading up to the battle between Rama and Ravana, with several characters becoming more prominent. One major addition already revealed is Raghav Juyal as Meghnad (Indrajit), Ravana’s son. His appearance was revealed in a post-credit scene in the first part.
