Ahead of the trailer’s worldwide release on July 24, a special ‘Ramayana’ preview event was held today at Delhi’s Bharat Mandapam, bringing the film’s team together. Among those who spoke to the group was the poet and musician Dr. Kumar Vishwaswho wrote the lyrics for the film’s music in collaboration with composers AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer.
Kumar Vishwas remembers Ranbir Kapoor ‘s innocent question
Speaking at the event, Kumar shared a anecdote about Ranbir Kapoor, who portrays Lord Ram in the film, once asking him a question about the character. He explained the change as follows: “Bahut achha sawaal baar-baar doosre. Mujhe aaj bhi itna innocent tareeke se unhone mujhse poochha, ‘Sir, ek chhoti si baat poochhoon?’ Maine kaha, ‘Poochho.’ ‘Ram Bhagwan hain ya manushya hain?’ Aur usko samjhaane ke liye jo hamara lagbhag ek ghante ka vaartaalaap hua, uske baad maine unse poochha, ‘Kya samjhe? Ram Bhagwan hain ya manushya hain?’ To unnhone kaha, ‘Sir, main samajh gaya hoon. Ram sab kuchh hain.'” (Someone asked a very good question. Even today, I remember how they innocently asked me, “Sir, may I ask a small question?” I replied, “Go ahead.” “Is Lord Ram God, or is he a man?” After we talked—it took about an hour—to explain this, I asked, “Is Lord Ram a human God, what did he hear? Ram is everything.”)
Kumar Vishwas collaborates with AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer
Kumar wrote the lyrics for the Ramayana song, which marks a unique collaboration with Oscar winners AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer, who are teaming up to compose music for an Indian film for the first time. The collaboration was announced on July 9. AR Rahman praised Kumar Vishwas for bringing an “incomparable command of language” and a “deep understanding of the Ramayana culture” to the project, noting that his voice “elevates” the music rather than merely adding to it.
Kumar Vishwas’s ‘Ramayana’ is an epic in two parts
‘Ramayana’, a two-part dramatization of Indian history, is directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra of Prime Focus Studios. It follows the story of Shri Ram as the prince of Ayodhya, describing his exile and his conflict with Ravana. Made on a reported budget of around Rs 4,000 crore, the film will be released in two parts: Part 1 on Diwali 2026 and Part 2 on Diwali 2027. The visuals have been handled by DNEG, the Oscar-winning studio behind ‘Dune’ and ‘Interstellar’, with both parts shot on IMAX screens.
‘Ramayana’ actor Kumar Vishwas
Ranbir Kapoor is taking on the role of Shri Ram and adding it as Lord Parshuram in the second installment. Sai Pallavi plays Sita, Yash portrays Ravana, Sunny Deol plays Hanuman, and Ravie Dubey takes on the role of Lakshman. The cast also includes Arun Govil as King Dashrath, Kajal Aggarwal like Mandodari, Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi, Rakul Preet Singh as Surpanakha, and Amitabh Bachchan lending his voice to Jatayu.