West Bengal has decided to make Ramayana, the big-budget epic starring Ranbir Kapoor and Yash, tax-free in the state. The announcement came from Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday, at a Dussehra celebration in Kolkata attended by the film’s lead actors. With the film’s release now just over two weeks away, the move is being seen as a major boost for its box office prospects in one of India’s most important theatrical markets.
The timing could hardly be better for the makers. Advance bookings for Ramayana opened this Dussehra week, and cinemas in Mumbai have already listed unusual early-morning and late-night shows, including 6 AM and 11:59 PM screenings. A tax exemption in West Bengal means ticket prices there will drop noticeably, which usually pulls in far bigger first-weekend crowds.
What the Chief Minister announced
Adhikari made the announcement at Central Park in Kolkata’s Salt Lake area, where the Salt Lake Sanskritik Sansad had organised Dussehra celebrations around the theme “Ram Er Ayodhya, Ram Ki Ayodhya”. Ranbir Kapoor and Yash were on stage with him, along with producer Namit Malhotra, director Nitesh Tiwari and actor Ravi Dubey.
Speaking to news agency ANI, the Chief Minister said the film would join a list of movies that have been given tax-free status in the state. “The Ramayana film has been made tax-free. The Kerala Story, The Kashmir Files and The Bengal Files, all of these will be or have been made tax-free, and the same will apply to Ramayana,” he said.
Adhikari also talked about the growing slate of films based on Indian mythology, saying audiences would see films on Shri Krishna and Arjuna, as well as the Mahabharata, in the coming days.
Who plays whom in the epic
Ramayana is being mounted as a two-part epic, and the casting has been one of its biggest talking points:
- Ranbir Kapoor plays Lord Rama
- Sai Pallavi plays Sita
- Yash, the KGF star, plays Ravana
- Sunny Deol plays Hanuman
- Ravi Dubey plays Lakshman
The film is directed by Nitesh Tiwari of Dangal fame and produced by Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios in collaboration with eight-time Oscar-winning visual effects company DNEG and Yash’s own Monster Mind Creations. Part 1 releases on November 5, 2026, with Part 2 expected around Diwali next year.
Release build-up gathers pace
The announcement has added to what is already one of the most talked-about release campaigns of the year. The makers had announced that advance bookings would open on Dussehra, and the first listings have since appeared. According to reports, paid preview shows are planned for November 4, a day before the film’s scheduled theatrical release.
The film has also had an active pre-release event calendar. Earlier this week, the team held a grand event in Hyderabad, where Tiwari surprised fans by singing a Telugu song on stage. Reports also suggest that Malhotra has announced plans for a multi-project Ramayana cinematic universe, including a standalone Hanuman film reportedly starring Sunny Deol, with spin-offs centred on characters like Surpanakha, Jatayu, Indrajit and Angad.
A sombre note at the celebration
The Dussehra event in Kolkata was not entirely celebratory. The Chief Minister also spoke about the incident at a Durga Puja pandal in the city’s Chorbagan area and extended his support to the affected family. A moment of silence was observed from the stage, and Adhikari said everyone stands with the grieving family.
FAQs
Why has Ramayana been made tax-free in West Bengal?
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the tax exemption at a Dussehra event in Kolkata on October 20, placing the film alongside titles like The Kerala Story and The Kashmir Files that have received similar status in the state.
What does tax-free status mean for moviegoers?
When a film is declared tax-free, the entertainment tax component is waived, which brings ticket prices down and usually increases footfall, especially in the crucial opening week.
When does Ramayana release?
Part 1 of the two-part epic releases in cinemas on November 5, 2026. Paid previews are reportedly planned for November 4.
Who are the lead actors in Ramayana?
Ranbir Kapoor plays Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi plays Sita, Yash plays Ravana, Sunny Deol plays Hanuman and Ravi Dubey plays Lakshman. The film is directed by Nitesh Tiwari.
Ramayana‘s journey from page to the biggest of Indian screens is nearly complete. With tax exemptions, sold-out previews and a release date that is finally in sight, November 5 is shaping up to be the biggest day Indian cinema has seen in a while.
