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What drives someone to bet a massive budget on a story everyone already knows? For Namit Malhotra it’s not just about making a film it’s about honouring a legacy reviving a belief system and reimagining mythology on a scale never seen before. Indias most expensive film Filmmaker and Prime Focus founder Namit Malhotra is creating waves with his boldest move yet: a two-part cinematic adaptation of the Indian epic Ramayana. Slated to release in 2026 and 2027 this isnt just another mythology-based film — its set to be the most expensive project in Indian cinema history with a reported budget of over Rs 4000 crore. Speaking on a podcast with YouTuber Prakhar Gupta Malhotra recalled “Everybody thought I’m a lunatic... because no Indian film by a long distance comes close to it.” The combined budget of both parts? A staggering $500 million. Why Ramayana and why now? For Malhotra this isn’t about flexing scale. It’s about legacy. “I’m taking the greatest belief system of our country. We’re taking something that we have pride in. It’s a foundational piece of our culture” he said adding that he hopes the story resonates globally in today’s times. With a team that includes Dangal director Nitesh Tiwari Malhotra believes he’s the right custodian for a tale that holds deep spiritual and cultural significance. Who’s playing who? The casting reflects the ambition: Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram Sai Pallavi as Sita Yash as Ravan Ravi Dubey as Lakshman Sunny Deol as Hanuman Part One of the film is set for Diwali 2026 with Part Two to follow in Diwali 2027. Hollywood-level investment To give perspective Ramayana’s production budget outpaces major global hits like the latest Superman reboot and matches the cost of Marvel giants like Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Yet despite the massive spend Malhotra insists it’s not reckless “We’re making the largest film in the world for the greatest story… but we’re doing it with responsibility.” Malhotra’s motivations are also personal. “My kids are growing up in Mumbai today. They’re going to Indian schools. I want them to study in India” he shared underlining his commitment to preserving Indian culture — not just through storytelling but at home too. Even before its release the buzz around the film is electric. The first glimpses have already caused a stir online with fans and critics alike eager to see how this epic unfolds on the big screen.