Nitesh Tiwari’s highly anticipated magnum opus, Ramayana: Part 1, has achieved a major promotional milestone as Yash and producer Namit Malhotra officially kicked off the film’s global campaign at CinemaCon 2026 in the USA.
During a high-profile interaction with Fandango, Yash—who portrays the complex role of Ravana—confirmed that he will not share any screen space with Ranbir Kapoor’s Rama in the first installment. The “Rocking Star” explained that Part 1 focuses on the separate arcs of the two iconic characters ruling their respective kingdoms, stating that while he and Ranbir have met “a couple of times” to align their vision, their on-screen collision is reserved for the sequel.
Yash’s portrayal of Ravana is set to break the traditional “villain” mold, with director Nitesh Tiwari emphasizing a multi-dimensional approach. Tiwari revealed that the film will showcase Ravana not just as an antagonist, but as a scholar, a master musician, and a devoted king whose downfall serves as a cautionary tale about ego and vengeance.
Ranbir Kapoor echoed this sentiment, praising Yash’s “aura and screen presence” and noting that this interpretation is vastly different from any previous cinematic version. The film, which Yash is also co-producing, features a stellar ensemble including Sai Pallavi as Sita, Sunny Deol as Hanuman, and Ravie Dubey as Lakshman.
The hype for Ramayana comes at a time of massive shifts in the Indian film industry. While the Dhurandhar franchise recently made history as the first Indian series to gross ₹3,000 crore worldwide, veteran stars like Arun Govil have extended their blessings to Ranbir, calling him a “very cultured kid.” However, the production faces the weight of immense expectations, with former Ramayan star Sunil Lahri expressing hope that the film avoids any creative blunders that could alienate traditional audiences. As Diwali 2026 marks the global release date for Part 1, the project is already being hailed as India’s most ambitious cinematic export.