The anticipation surrounding Nitesh Tiwari’s ambitious cinematic adaptation of the Hindu epic ‘Ramayana’ is reaching a fever pitch. Billed as one of the most expensive and grandest Indian films ever made, this two-part saga promises a visually stunning and spiritually resonant retelling of a timeless tale. At the heart of this colossal project is Ranbir Kapoor, undergoing a significant physical and mental transformation to embody the revered role of Lord Rama. As production for the first installment concludes and the release countdown begins, details about the film’s monumental budget, star-studded cast, and their remuneration are capturing widespread attention.
Ranbir Kapoor’s Rigorous Fitness Transformation for Lord Rama
To portray the divine and physically demanding character of Lord Rama, Ranbir Kapoor has committed to an intense and holistic fitness regimen, pushing his boundaries far beyond conventional gym workouts. His transformation is designed not just for physical aesthetics but also to embody the agility, strength, and mental fortitude associated with the deity. Kapoor’s trainer, Nam-Wook Kang, has provided glimpses into this demanding routine, which blends various disciplines.
Mid-Air Calisthenics and Explosive Strength Training
A core component of Kapoor’s preparation involves advanced calisthenics. He has been seen performing mid-air calisthenics, demonstrating a strong core and full-body control. This includes challenging exercises like clap pull-ups, which require significant upper body power and precise timing, and muscle-ups on Roman rings—an Olympic-level workout that targets arms, shoulders, chest, and core while demanding balance and control.
Functional Training with Kettlebells and Battle Ropes
To build full-body strength, grip, and conditioning, Ranbir Kapoor incorporates kettlebell workouts into his routine. These dynamic exercises are vital for functional strength. Additionally, battle ropes are utilized for high-intensity training, enhancing endurance, power, and building upper body and core strength.
Outdoor Endurace and Mental Fortitude through Running and Hiking
Kapoor’s training extends beyond the gym, with a strong focus on outdoor activities. He engages in outdoor running to build lower body strength, boost stamina, and clear his mind. Furthermore, hiking across rough terrain with his fitness team is a crucial part of his physical training, strengthening legs, improving balance, and fostering mental toughness—qualities essential for his character. Beyond the physical, reports indicate Ranbir has also committed to staying away from alcohol and meat during the film’s production, a conscious and spiritual decision for the role.
The Staggering Budget of ‘Ramayana’
Nitesh Tiwari’s ‘Ramayana’ is set to redefine the scale of Indian cinema with an unprecedented budget. The film, which will be released in two parts, is being mounted on a colossal budget of ₹4000 crore (approximately $500 million). This figure positions it as the most expensive Indian film ever made, surpassing even the combined budgets of several other large-scale Indian productions like ‘RRR’ and ‘Baahubali’. Producer Namit Malhotra of Prime Focus Studios and DNEG confirmed this staggering amount, emphasizing the project’s ambition to create a world-class cinematic experience with extensive VFX and special effects. The film is designed for a grand IMAX experience and will even integrate AI dubbing technology for seamless viewing in various regional languages, a first for Indian cinema.
A Stellar Cast and Their Reported Fees
The ‘Ramayana’ adaptation boasts a powerful ensemble cast, with some of India’s biggest stars taking on iconic roles. Their reported remunerations reflect the film’s grand scale and the caliber of talent involved.
Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama
Ranbir Kapoor, portraying Lord Rama, is reportedly the highest-paid actor in the franchise. His fee is said to be ₹75 crore for each part, totaling ₹150 crore for both installments. Some reports suggest this amounts to 10% of the total film budget.
Sai Pallavi as Goddess Sita
Sai Pallavi, cast as Goddess Sita, is reportedly charging ₹6 crore per part, bringing her total fee for the duology to ₹12 crore.
Yash as Ravana
Kannada superstar Yash will embody the antagonist, Ravana. He is reportedly earning ₹50 crore per part, totaling ₹100 crore for both films. Additionally, Yash is also co-producing the film under his banner, Monster Mind Creations, which may include a percentage of the film’s profits.
Other Key Cast Members
- Sunny Deol is officially playing Lord Hanuman. Reports suggest he is receiving ₹20 crore per installment, amounting to ₹40 crore overall.
- Ravie Dubey has been cast as Lakshman, Lord Rama’s devoted brother. His reported fee ranges between ₹2 to ₹4 crore.
- Amitabh Bachchan is also part of the stellar cast.
Production Status and Release Timeline
The makers officially announced that ‘Ramayana’ will be released in two parts on the festival of Diwali. Part 1 is slated for Diwali 2026, with Part 2 following in Diwali 2027. Ranbir Kapoor himself confirmed the completion of filming for the first part at the Red Sea Film Festival in Jeddah, with production for the second part expected to begin soon. Director Nitesh Tiwari and producer Namit Malhotra have expressed their vision to deliver an authentic and visually stunning retelling of the revered epic, with extensive pre-production spanning over a decade to ensure script authenticity and world-class VFX by Oscar-winning DNEG. The first glimpse of the mythological epic, featuring the lead cast, was officially unveiled on July 3.
With its monumental budget, star-studded cast, and Ranbir Kapoor’s dedicated transformation, Nitesh Tiwari’s ‘Ramayana’ is poised to be a landmark event in Indian and global cinema, bringing one of the world’s greatest stories to the big screen with unparalleled scale and vision.
