A mythological epic this massive rarely tests the waters quietly, but that is exactly what happened in Los Angeles this week, where Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana: Part One was screened for a tightly curated audience long before its theatrical debut.
The first cut of the film was shown on Monday, February 23, at Cinemark Playa Vista, marking a significant checkpoint for the production as it moves deeper into post production and final polishing. The invite list was designed to be broad rather than starry, spanning viewers aged 18 to 60 and including film students and industry professionals, a mix meant to gauge both storytelling clarity and technical impact.
Secret LA Screening Draws Strong First Reactions
Early feedback from the screening leaned heavily positive, with viewers specifically calling out the film’s “rooted storytelling” while also praising the “gargantuan” scale of its visual effects. The response matters because Ramayana: Part One is being positioned as a global spectacle with Indian cultural specificity, and the LA screening functioned as an early temperature check on pacing, character arcs, and emotional beats before the final cut is locked.
The film is led by Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, with Yash playing Ravana and Sai Pallavi as Sita. The ensemble also includes Sunny Deol as Hanuman and Ravie Dubey as Laxman, with Lara Dutta and Rakul Preet Singh in supporting roles.
A major part of the conversation around the project remains its technical ambition. Producer Namit Malhotra, who heads Prime Focus and DNEG, has been central to building the film’s VFX driven scale, with significant effects work still part of the roadmap.
A Rare Global Music Pairing Anchors The Epic
Beyond visuals, Ramayana: Part One is also drawing attention for its music. The film brings together Oscar winning composers AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer in a high profile collaboration. Rahman has described the composition process as “terrifying and complicated,” pointing to the challenge of creating a fresh musical language for a story that is deeply embedded in Indian tradition while still aiming for a worldwide cinematic appeal.
Where Ramayana Part One Stands Right Now
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana: Part One is being mounted as the first chapter of a two part saga, produced by Prime Focus Studios in collaboration with Yash’s Monster Mind Creations. It is an epic mythological action drama based on the Ramayana and is designed as a large scale theatrical event. The story follows Lord Ram’s journey and the escalating conflict that sets the stage for the battle against Ravana, with an emphasis on emotional grounding alongside spectacle. The film is slated to release in the Diwali window in November 2026, while Ramayana: Part Two is scheduled for the Diwali 2027 frame.
Ranbir Kapoor’s Recent And Upcoming Work
Ranbir Kapoor’s recent big screen run in the last few years included Shamshera (2022), Brahmastra: Part One Shiva (2022), and Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar (2023), which later began streaming on Netflix. His last theatrical release was Animal (2023), directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga. Looking ahead, Ramayana: Part One is positioned as his next major theatrical release, followed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love and War, which also stars Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal. Ranbir has also confirmed that Animal Park is in the pipeline.
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