In a detailed interview with Collider's Steve Weintraub, actor Ranbir Kapoor delved into the intricacies of his highly anticipated epic, "Ramayana," directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra. The film, one of India's most awaited features of 2026, is structured as a sweeping two-part story, promising a six-hour grand spectacle of visuals and action on a "Lord of the Rings" scale.

Kapoor takes on the immense challenge of portraying not only Lord Rama but also Lord Parshuram, pulling double duty in the narrative. "Ramayana" tells the timeless tale of Heaven and Earth nearing chaos, prompting the Trinity god Vishnu to descend as the avatar Rama (Kapoor) to confront the formidable and immortal demon king Ravana (Yash). The film's star-studded ensemble includes Sai Pallavi as Sita, Sunny Deol as Hanuman, and Ravi Dubey as Lakshman.

During the conversation, Kapoor expressed the profound gratitude and responsibility he feels representing such a significant story. He revealed his initial apprehension about accepting the role, driven by fear, but ultimately surrendered to the part, making personal sacrifices and changes to embody Rama. He actively chased director Nitesh Tiwari to deeply understand Rama's limitless journey and the spiritual and emotional layers of both Rama and Parshuram, differentiating them through nuanced body language and voice—Rama embodying calm, compassion, courage, forgiveness, and righteousness, while Parshuram represents righteous fury.

Kapoor emphasized the importance of experiencing "Ramayana" in IMAX, likening its visual grandeur to iconic global epics. Filming for IMAX, the production aims for an immersive experience, with Kapoor noting a specific IMAX theater in AMC Burbank, a favorite of James Cameron, as an ideal venue to "feel the experience of the movie." Despite the daunting nature of filming a two-part production back-to-back, Kapoor highlighted the collective faith and positive intention of the cast and crew as their driving force.

The discussion also touched upon the global reach of Indian cinema. Kapoor acknowledged the significant impact of films like 2022's "RRR" but stressed that Indian cinema has historically been a leading force globally, with his grandfather's films traveling worldwide in the 1950s. He believes "Ramayana" is poised to take Indian cinema to new heights, allowing a larger international audience to sample and respect its storytelling. Kapoor, a fourth-generation member of a prominent film family, shared personal anecdotes about meeting his screen idols like Al Pacino, Bill Murray, Quentin Tarantino, and Robert DeNiro, reflecting on how these experiences shaped his humility and gratitude towards his own fans.

"Ramayana: Part 1" is slated to open in theaters and IMAX globally in Fall 2026 during Diwali, with "Part 2" currently in production and expected to debut globally during Diwali 2027.