Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana has not even released yet, and it is already being treated like a state occasion. According to a Mid-Day report that surfaced this morning, the makers of the Ranbir Kapoor and Yash-led epic are planning a special screening of the film at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the President’s official residence in New Delhi, for political leaders. If the plan goes through, the screening will take place on November 5, the very day the film opens in theatres worldwide.
The report says the team is still seeking the necessary permissions for the event, and there is no official confirmation yet. But the ambition behind it tells you everything about how the film is being positioned: not just as a blockbuster, but as Indian cinema’s most ambitious mythological project in decades.
A release-day screening for the country’s leaders
A source told the publication that the Rashtrapati Bhavan screening is being planned for the same day as the film’s worldwide release, adding a high-profile engagement to the launch. The lead trio, Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi and Yash, are expected to attend along with director Nitesh Tiwari, should the permissions come through.
Rashtrapati Bhavan screenings are rare and reserved for films that carry cultural weight. The choice of venue says the makers see Ramayana as more than a commercial release. It is a film about the Ramayana, the foundational epic of Indian civilisation, arriving at a moment when mythological storytelling is having its biggest commercial moment in Hindi cinema.
Two premieres before the big day
The Bhavan screening is not the only grand plan. According to the same reports, the team is organising two premieres ahead of the release: one in Mumbai and another in Delhi. The Mumbai premiere is likely to be held at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC), which has become the go-to venue for Bollywood’s biggest evenings. The Delhi premiere, meanwhile, is being designed for dignitaries, keeping in line with the film’s stature.
Neither event has been officially announced yet, and the team is keeping its cards close to the chest. But the pattern is clear: the rollout is being built for spectacle.
What we know about the film
Ramayana: Part 1, officially titled Ramayana: Rise of a Legend, brings together a heavyweight cast. Ranbir Kapoor plays Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi essays Goddess Sita, and Yash takes on the demon king Ravana. The ensemble also features Ravie Dubey as Lakshman and Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman.
Behind the camera, the talent is equally heavy. The film is produced by Prime Focus Studios, DNEG and Monster Mind Creations. The music has been composed by the unlikely but exciting pairing of Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman, while Pankaj Kumar and Mahesh Limaye have handled cinematography. The trailer, released in July, gave audiences their first full look at the film’s scale.
The film will release exclusively in theatres, in IMAX and premium large formats, worldwide on November 5. Advance bookings are set to open on Dussehra, a deliberate and rather elegant choice: the festival that marks the defeat of Ravana by Ram becomes the day audiences can book their seats to watch Ravana on screen.
The buildup is already intense
The film’s team recently shared fresh promotional material, including an ensemble poster that places Ranbir, Sai Pallavi and Ravie Dubey in the foreground as Ram, Sita and Lakshman, with Yash’s Ravana looming over them at a scale that leaves no doubt about his dramatic weight. The post was shared with the caption promising “the most immersive 3D cinematic experience ever.”
That positioning matters. Ramayana is a two-part project, and the first film has to justify a multi-year theatrical arc. Everything about the marketing, from the Rashtrapati Bhavan plan to the Dussehra bookings, is designed to frame it as an event rather than just a release.
Frequently asked questions
When is Ramayana: Part 1 releasing?
The film releases worldwide on November 5, including in IMAX and premium large formats.
Will Ramayana really be screened at Rashtrapati Bhavan?
It is being planned, according to a Mid-Day report, but permissions are still being sought and there is no official confirmation yet.
Who stars in Ramayana?
Ranbir Kapoor as Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, with Ravie Dubey as Lakshman and Sunny Deol as Hanuman.
When do advance bookings open?
The makers have announced that advance bookings will open on Dussehra.
Who is directing Ramayana?
The film is directed by Nitesh Tiwari, with music by Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman.
Whether or not the Bhavan screening gets its permissions, one thing is already settled: November 5 is shaping up to be one of the biggest days Indian cinema has seen in years. Stay tuned to Informeia for more updates.
