Ramayana Gets Sony Distribution Deal as India Targets a Global Audience
The Indian fantasy epic 'Ramayana' made a historic splash at San Diego Comic-Con 2026, securing a global distribution deal with Sony and unveiling its first trailer. Director Nitesh Tiwari, producer Namit Malhotra, and star Ranbir Kapoor discussed this unprecedented partnership, the film's ambitious VFX, and its worldwide release, slated for November 6.
India's upcoming epic Ramayana is taking a major step towards an international theatrical release after Sony Pictures Entertainment secured its global distribution rights.
The film, directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra, stars Ranbir Kapoor as Rama and Yash as Ravana. It is being made as a two-part adaptation of the Hindu epic.
The Sony deal was announced around the film's appearance at San Diego Comic-Con 2026, where Tiwari, Kapoor and Malhotra discussed the production and their plans to take the film beyond India. The filmmakers have described the project as an attempt to give an Indian story the scale and worldwide reach normally associated with major Hollywood releases.
A different kind of global release
Sony's involvement gives Ramayana an established international distributor as the filmmakers prepare for its theatrical run.
Malhotra described the partnership as a significant moment for Indian cinema, arguing that it could give an Indian production an unusually broad mainstream theatrical rollout through a Hollywood studio.
The film has been built around large-scale visual effects, with DNEG handling the work. Malhotra has called the effects the most ambitious project of his career, while Kapoor has pushed back against criticism that can overlook the years of work required to create large digital sequences.
The film's international ambitions were also evident at Comic-Con, where the team used the event to introduce the project to a global film audience.
Ranbir Kapoor leads the cast
Kapoor plays Rama, while Yash takes on the role of Ravana. Sai Pallavi plays Sita, with Sunny Deol, Ravi Dubey and other actors rounding out the cast.
The story is based on the ancient Hindu epic and follows Rama's conflict with Ravana after Sita is abducted.
Although the filmmakers had planned to make a major trailer reveal around Comic-Con, the trailer's release was later delayed. The full trailer was eventually released on July 30, giving audiences their first extended look at the film's characters and visual effects.
Ramayana: Part 1 is scheduled to open internationally on November 6, 2026, with the Indian release set for November 8.
The second part is also planned, but Tiwari said the team is currently concentrating on finishing and promoting the first film.
For now, the filmmakers are betting that a familiar story, a large Indian cast and Hollywood-style visual scale can take Ramayana well beyond its home market.