Amidst the glitz of CinemaCon 2026 in Los Angeles, actor and producer Yash has stepped up to defend the visual integrity of Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana: Part I. Addressing a wave of online skepticism regarding early visual teasers, the “Rocking Star” assured fans that the current footage is merely a glimpse of a “work in progress.”
Yash Assures ‘Top-Notch’ Quality at CinemaCon
Presenting the project alongside co-producer Namit Malhotra (CEO of VFX powerhouse DNEG), Yash addressed the criticism head-on. He emphasized that the film’s partnership with DNEG—the Oscar-winning studio behind Dune and Oppenheimer—is a guarantee of world-class quality.
“The photo-realistic visuals that you are talking about—it’s still work in progress,” Yash clarified during the presentation. “I am sure it will be even better when we see the finished product. We are really making a product which is top-notch.”
The actor’s presence at CinemaCon marks a strategic move to position Ramayana as a global cinematic event, rather than just a domestic release.
Production Status & VFX Roadmap
The scale of Ramayana requires an unprecedented amount of post-production. Here is the current status of the project as discussed at the event:
- VFX Collaboration: DNEG is handling the entire visual pipeline, aiming for a “photo-realistic” aesthetic that stays true to the epic’s divine roots.
- Release Date: Yash reconfirmed the Diwali 2026 release window (specifically the last week of October).
- Scope: Part I will focus on the early years, the exile, and the introduction of the primary cast, while Part II is slated for 2027.
The Stellar Ensemble
While Ranbir Kapoor’s first look as Lord Rama was unveiled earlier this month to polarized reactions regarding the CGI backgrounds, the cast remains the film’s strongest pull:
| Role | Actor |
| Lord Rama | Ranbir Kapoor |
| Sita | Sai Pallavi |
| Ravana | Yash |
| Hanuman | Sunny Deol |
| Lakshman | Ravi Dubey |
| Surpanakha | Rakul Preet Singh |
| Kaikeyi | Lara Dutta |
The film also features veteran Arun Govil (who famously played Rama in the 1987 TV series) and Kajal Aggarwal in pivotal roles. With Yash’s assurance, the industry is now waiting to see if the final “polished” product can silence the critics and set a new benchmark for Indian VFX.